For More Information Contact:

Abby deRoo, City Marketing Director

aderoo@cityofzeeland.com

616-748-5906

Tim Klunder, City Manager

citymgr@cityofzeeland.com

616-748-5910

As 2024 comes to an end, a little city in west Michigan reflects on the big changes that have taken place this year. The City of Zeeland has experienced large-scale change in the landscape and make up of its downtown district.

• 2024 marks the conclusion of a two-year, four block street project along Main Avenue. The project included partial street reconstruction, four blocks of snowmelted sidewalks and intersections, a complete streetscape update, including adding a fourth block of streetscape finishes along Main Avenue.

• GDK completed the transformation of the Sligh Furniture Factory, 349 E. Main Ave into the Sligh Townhouses and Apartments. The project includes 9 townhouses and 39 apartments located proudly at the new eastern gateway of downtown Zeeland.

• Wooden Nickel, LLC nears the completion of the three-story, mixed-use building and public passageway project, located directly in the heart of downtown, 137 E. Main. This project will be home to the expanded dental practice for Moxy Dental and Airway, eight new apartments and a new retail suite (tenant yet to be named). This project was initiated by the City’s desire for a pedestrian passageway to connect the north municipal parking lot to activity on Main. The project will include a partially covered passageway that can be multi-programmed by building tenants, the city, and serve as a welcomed connection for customer/pedestrian access. This infill project also created the opportunity for Public Restaurant to return to its original location at 131 E. Main.

• Geerlings Development broke ground on a three-story, mixed-use building at 17 E. Main. This project will include approximately 9,400 sq feet of commercial space and 22 new apartment units. The new building will mark the western gateway to downtown Zeeland.

• The Midwest Construction Group relocated their company headquarters to downtown Zeeland and rehabilitated the historic Zeeland Record Building at 16 S. Elm Street. This project brings 30+ new jobs downtown Zeeland.

• Three restaurants opened/reopened downtown:

     o Community Restaurant, 421 E. Main, reopened January 8, 2024, after a devastating fire in 2022 which required total rebuilding of the restaurant.

     o Public, 131 E. Main, reopened in its original location, with a brand-new look and updated menu, after a temporary closing in 2021.

     o The Gritzmaker Social House, 120 E. Main, made its Zeeland debut this summer, becoming the sixth full-service restaurant in Zeeland’s Social District.

• One new retailer joined the district: The Adorned Home, 122 E. Main, this beautiful home décor and women’s clothing boutique opened just in time for the 2024 holiday season.

• Downtown business milestones and growth this year include:

     o Frank’s Restaurant, 134 E. Main celebrated 100 years in business!

     o Zeeland Historical Society, 37 E. Main celebrated 50th anniversary!

     o Tripelroot, 146 E. Main celebrated 10 years in business!

     o Don’t Tell Mom (DTM) Tattoos and Piercings expanded and relocated to 52 E. Main.

• Zeeland’s first outdoor mural was completed this year at 210 E. Main. Local artist, Krista Arendsen (Art by Krista), hand-painted a vibrant, original piece which displays some of the colorful, iconic imagery that is legendary to Zeeland’s history.

“Downtown Zeeland experienced tremendous growth this year,” reflects City Manager, Tim Klunder. “Thanks to the dedicated developers and business owners who share the city’s vision for creating and maintaining a robust downtown with high quality developments, we saw over $30 million in combined public/private investment on Main Avenue. These projects will help attract additional customers, residents and employees to the district. We are extremely happy with the projects that are in progress and have been completed in 2024. We are excited for what’s in store for 2025!”

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