News Summary
The Grand Haven Children’s Museum has presented a proposal to lease 13,500 square feet of city-owned property at Central Park Place to establish a community space. The museum plans to privately fund a $1.5 to $2 million expansion to create a child-friendly environment, with expected annual savings to the city of $128,000 by 2027. City council members support the proposal, which could lead to the museum opening by mid-2028, enhancing community engagement and local economy.
Grand Haven officials are considering a proposal from the Grand Haven Children’s Museum (GHCM) to establish a new community space at Central Park Place, located at 421 Columbus Avenue. This proposal, which seeks to lease approximately 13,500 square feet of the city-owned property, was presented during a city council work session on October 6 by Rachel Dody, the museum’s founder and board president.
Currently, the GHCM lacks a physical location and aims to lease the space for an initial period of 10 years, with options to renew in five-year increments. Initially, the museum would pay $2,150 per month during the construction phase. Once operational, this rent would decrease significantly to just $1 per year, alongside a percentage of utility, trash, and snow removal costs. The museum plans to privately fund a main-level expansion estimated to cost between $1.5 million and $2 million, which will enhance the facility with a “child-friendly entrance.”
The proposed expansion could potentially add 5,000 square feet to the existing structure. Key facilities in the current building, including the theater, Mackinaw Room, catering kitchen, main entry, restrooms, and storage areas, will remain functional during construction while the new exhibits will be developed.
Board member Elizabeth Griffin emphasized that the museum’s focus will be on offering play-based exhibits that reflect Grand Haven’s unique identity and cater to children of various abilities. Additionally, the entire expansion and development of exhibits will be financed through private funds, incurring no expenses to the city government.
Projected savings for the city due to the museum’s contributions could reach approximately $128,000 annually by the year 2027 or 2028. The museum is anticipated to draw tens of thousands of visitors annually, turning Central Park Place into a vital civic asset and attracting families from the region.
The economic impact of the new馆 on the local economy is estimated at $5.8 million, based on data from similar institutions in neighboring areas. City council members have expressed their support for this initiative and have plans to address it in further detail at the upcoming council meeting scheduled for October 20.
This proposed museum location follows a previous attempt to set up a children’s museum at Chinook Pier, which was declined due to the site being allocated to another developer. If the current proposal receives approval, the Grand Haven Children’s Museum could potentially open its doors by mid-2028, providing a new destination for community engagement and educational opportunities.
The Grand Haven Children’s Museum aims to create a collaborative and engaging environment for young visitors, making use of the valuable assets within Central Park Place while contributing positively to the local economy and community life.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Grand Haven Children’s Museum Proposal
- Grand Haven Tribune: Children’s Museum Proposal
- WZZM: Location Proposed for Children’s Museum
- Wikipedia: Children’s Museum
- Only In Your State: Must-Do Summer Activities in Michigan
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
