Zeeland seeks developer for downtown site, hopes for new restaurant

ZEELAND — The city of Zeeland has put out a call for developers interested in building a mixed-use building and a public pedestrian walkway in the heart of Main Avenue.

Long on the city's list of development goals, the mid-block passageway would connect a large public parking lot that sits behind downtown shops to the Main Avenue shopping district.

The city bought two mid-block properties, 135 and 137 E. Main Ave., late last year with a plan to eventually demolish them and find a builder to create a new mixed-use building or buildings on the site.

This month, Zeeland issued a request for proposals for developers to pitch their plans for the site.

The RFP outlines what the city wants to see in the plans, including that the ground floor should have either restaurant or retail tenants while upper floors could be residential or commercial space.

The city suggested 135-137 E. Main would be "a dynamic location" for a full-service restaurant with a liquor license.

Zeeland City Council recently removed a cap on the number of liquor licenses in the city and relaxed some of its requirements regarding seating and setup of restaurants that want to sell alcohol with the hopes of growing its small downtown restaurant scene.

Developers must include the mid-block passageway as part of any plans.

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The city said it would not consider proposals that did not include a passageway, proposals for a single-story building or proposals where the ground floor is office space.

Zeeland City Council authorized city staff to seek bids for demolition in November, though the city had no immediate plans to tear down the buildings before next steps were in place.

Developers' proposals are due back to the city by March 31.

"City staff will work closely with proposal finalists to ensure that the future building, and importantly, the passageway component, meet the functionality, aesthetic, and quality standards for downtown Zeeland," a news release from the city reads. "City staff expects that further visioning/planning for the passageway itself will continue once a building project has been identified."

— Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Zeeland seeks developer for downtown site, hopes for restaurant