Holland City Council approves Brownfield reimbursement for downtown hotel

KEY ACTION

The Holland City Council approved a Brownfield Redevelopment request Wednesday, Nov. 19, from Hotel Holdings LLC for a total of $179,150 for remediation of contamination found on the site of its newest property in downtown Holland, a Courtyard by Marriott that is under construction now.

DISCUSSION

Brownfield Redevelopment allows the company that is investing in a contaminated property to be reimbursed through taxes the money spent to remediate the property. Hotel Holdings LLC discovered contaminated soils after excavation began in the construction of a new five story hotel expected to have approximately 140 rooms.

The property is included within the boundaries of the parking deck project, which was a Brownfield project. The total investment of the hotel project is estimated at $18 million, according to city of Holland documents. The cost to remediate the soils, and cover other related expenses eligible for reimbursement, is $179,150.

The city of Holland’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority previously approved the request.

OTHER ACTION

— The city council approved a PA 198 tax abatement for Genzink Steel, at 40 E. 64th St., for a $989,000 investment in machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures. The company has been in business since 1961. It has 146 employees now and the expansion should allow the hire of 15 new employees in the next two years.

— The council accepted the Holland Department of Public Safety’s share of the Bryne Justice Assistance Grant for the West Michigan Enforcement Team. The grant helps pay for the three police officers assigned to WEMET. The grant is for $49,875 and requires an equal local match.

— The council approved a second grant to the HDPS from the Michigan Office of the Highway Safety Planning in the amount of $19,295 to be used toward seatbelt and drunk driving enforcement.

— The council approved cancelling the regularly scheduled study sessions on Nov. 26 and Dec. 24 for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

NEXT MEETING

The Holland City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 3, in council chambers at Holland City Hall, 270 S. River Ave. For more information go to cityofholland.com.

— Follow this reporter on Facebook and Twitter @SentinelNetty.