By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The city of Zeeland will seek proposals from developers who may have an interest in redeveloping the property that was once home to Main Street Auto Repair.
The City Council Monday voted unanimously to give city staff the go-ahead to request proposals for the site at 303
E. Main Ave. The city purchased the
0.16-acre property in January 2025 for $370,000, according to county property records.
“The site … sits at the prominent corner of Main Avenue and Centennial Street and represents a key opportunity for continued investment in downtown Zeeland,” City Marketing Director Abby deRoo said.
The 303 E. Main property is surrounded by several properties that have undergone development or expansion in the last few years – the Sligh Building to the east, the expansion of the Cityside Middle School property for Zeeland Recreation to the south and the development of Generational Wealth Management to the southwest.
Among the details the city is looking for in redeveloping 303 E. Main include:
• Development of a two-to-three story (up to 45 feet in height) mixed-use building with ground-floor commercial space and upper-floor residential or office uses.
• Integration with the surrounding downtown context and support for continued downtown growth and walkability.
• Inclusion of a 600-square-foot space to accommodate a boiler for the city’s snowmelt system.
DeRoo told council members Monday that the RFP does leave some flexibility for a developer.
“Perhaps the developer is looking at complete commercial (use), or perhaps the developer is looking at 100 percent residential,” she said. “We suggest mixed-use, but there is room for some creativity in the proposal.”
It’s also “strongly suggested” that the developer consider the possibility of acquiring properties adjacent to 303 E. Main, deRoo said.
“There are some residential parcels – some are owner-occupied, some are rentals – that could be acquired to create a larger footprint for a developer,” she said.
The city sent out a letter April 15 to property owners of the adjacent parcels to inform them about the request for proposals and that they may be contacted about potentially selling, Community Development Director Tim Maday said.
“You may continue to occupy and use your home for a residence as long as you choose,” Maday read from the letter. “You will retain the ability to sell your property as a residential home, if desired. This communication is not intended to suggest any required change to your property.”
The 303 E. Main site and the adjacent residential parcels are zoned C-2 central business district, Maday said.
The request for proposals booklet and supporting materials are available on the city’s website at cityofzeeland.com/current-bids. The deadline for submitting proposals will be June 30, deRoo said.
Staff will review proposals based on development experience, financial backing and alignment with the city’s goals. From there, the strongest proposals will be forwarded to the Shopping Area Redevelopment Board and Planning Commission for their review.
The City Council will have the final say on selecting a developer, deRoo said.
Zeeland Record
The city of Zeeland will seek proposals from developers who may have an interest in redeveloping the property that was once home to Main Street Auto Repair.
The City Council Monday voted unanimously to give city staff the go-ahead to request proposals for the site at 303
E. Main Ave. The city purchased the
0.16-acre property in January 2025 for $370,000, according to county property records.
“The site … sits at the prominent corner of Main Avenue and Centennial Street and represents a key opportunity for continued investment in downtown Zeeland,” City Marketing Director Abby deRoo said.
The 303 E. Main property is surrounded by several properties that have undergone development or expansion in the last few years – the Sligh Building to the east, the expansion of the Cityside Middle School property for Zeeland Recreation to the south and the development of Generational Wealth Management to the southwest.
Among the details the city is looking for in redeveloping 303 E. Main include:
• Development of a two-to-three story (up to 45 feet in height) mixed-use building with ground-floor commercial space and upper-floor residential or office uses.
• Integration with the surrounding downtown context and support for continued downtown growth and walkability.
• Inclusion of a 600-square-foot space to accommodate a boiler for the city’s snowmelt system.
DeRoo told council members Monday that the RFP does leave some flexibility for a developer.
“Perhaps the developer is looking at complete commercial (use), or perhaps the developer is looking at 100 percent residential,” she said. “We suggest mixed-use, but there is room for some creativity in the proposal.”
It’s also “strongly suggested” that the developer consider the possibility of acquiring properties adjacent to 303 E. Main, deRoo said.
“There are some residential parcels – some are owner-occupied, some are rentals – that could be acquired to create a larger footprint for a developer,” she said.
The city sent out a letter April 15 to property owners of the adjacent parcels to inform them about the request for proposals and that they may be contacted about potentially selling, Community Development Director Tim Maday said.
“You may continue to occupy and use your home for a residence as long as you choose,” Maday read from the letter. “You will retain the ability to sell your property as a residential home, if desired. This communication is not intended to suggest any required change to your property.”
The 303 E. Main site and the adjacent residential parcels are zoned C-2 central business district, Maday said.
The request for proposals booklet and supporting materials are available on the city’s website at cityofzeeland.com/current-bids. The deadline for submitting proposals will be June 30, deRoo said.
Staff will review proposals based on development experience, financial backing and alignment with the city’s goals. From there, the strongest proposals will be forwarded to the Shopping Area Redevelopment Board and Planning Commission for their review.
The City Council will have the final say on selecting a developer, deRoo said.
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