GRAND HAVEN — Ten years after it was first drafted, the city's original Centertown Vision Plan is getting a long-overdue update. 

The city is seeking to build a new, collective vision for its urban core and surrounding neighborhoods, guided by fresh public input and an eye toward modern placemaking principles.

According to Brian Urquhart, the city planner, the original Centertown Vision Plan from 2014, while well-intentioned, failed to spark significant private investment.

 "There's been some here and there," Urquhart said. “But a lot of times it's kind of on the fringe of what you call a major thoroughfare." 

The goal now is to move beyond a simple zoning document and create an action plan with tangible, measurable goals, he said.

The city has issued a request for proposals to find a consultant to help draft the updated plan. 

This new document, Urquhart explained, will place a strong emphasis on "streetscaping, placemaking, and things of that nature." 

It will also explore a mix of uses, from single-family homes and modest retail to higher-density developments, aiming to provide diverse housing options for a growing community. The process, he said, will be driven by extensive public engagement, including surveys and community input. 

"The entire purpose of having this request for proposals out there to get a consultant will be able to help us accomplish that," Urquhart said. The aim is to forge a "collective, unified vision" that reflects the diverse interests of residents and business owners, rather than a top-down approach from a small group.

The timeline for the new plan is ambitious. 

The city hopes to select a consultant within the next month, with a final, adopted plan ready by the first or second quarter of 2026. The effort is being financially supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which could cover up to 75% of the project's estimated $20,000 cost through a technical assistance grant.

Beyond the downtown area, Urquhart sees an opportunity to revitalize other commercial districts. He mentioned the East Side and the Beechtree district, calling the latter a "forgotten gem" that has untapped potential.

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"Everyone goes downtown," Urquhart said, acknowledging the area's popularity. "Well, we don't want to forget some of these other commercial nodes that also have some characteristics that can be right for development." 

The vision is to create distinct, recognizable identities for each area, so that people know when they are in "Centertown" versus "Washington Square" or another neighborhood.

This approach, Urquhart believes, will allow the city to build on its many assets, from its iconic lakeshore and riverfront to its traditional, service-oriented neighborhoods.

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at hvandyke@ottawanewsnetwork.org.