The former Main Street Auto Repair site at 303 E. Main Ave. is proposed to be redeveloped into a four-story mixed-use building combining residential and commercial uses by David Wilson of GL Rentals.
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
A local developer is proposing a four-floor mixed-use building at the site of what was once home to Main Street Auto Repair at 303 E. Main Ave.
The City Council Monday night voted to authorize staff to enter into negotiations with David and Laura Wilson of GL Rentals on a purchase and development agreement for the site.
The council selected the Wilson proposal from among three developers who submitted proposals to the city for redevelopment of the 7,700-square-foot property at the northeast corner of Main and Centennial Street. The city acquired the site in January 2025 at a cost of $370,000, with the idea of eventually having it redeveloped.
“We wanted to be intentional of what went there … We were looking for a high-quality, multi-story mixed-use development that fits the downtown corridor and makes good use of this important corner,” Community Development Director Tim Maday told the council.
The city sought in its request for proposals high-quality architectural design and materials, an orientation toward Main Avenue, private project financing and space to include a boiler for expansion of the downtown snowmelt system, Maday said.
The Wilson proposal calls for upper-floor residential units with the ground floor being a combination of commercial space fronting Main and parking and residential in the rear of the building. The proposal is similar to nearby projects GL Rentals has developed at 244 and 238 E. Main.
GL Rentals acquired the 244 E. Main property in 2014, demolished the existing home and built a two-story building with 3,840 square feet of commercial space on the main floor and three two-bedroom apartments in the second floor. Then in 2016, GL Rentals purchased 238 E. Main, tore down the existing home and built a two-story building with 4,320 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and six one-bedroom apartments on the second floor, David Wilson wrote in his proposal.
In addition, David Wilson acquired the property at 126 E. Main, completed an extensive rehabilitation of the building, and then relocated his investment business, Generational Wealth, at that location.
“Our business is really dependent on the Zeeland community,” David Wilson told the council. “Laura taught school for 20 years (in Zeeland) before she joined us. We feel an obligation to invest back in the community.”
Another element of Wilson’s development proposals calls for converting the property at 44 N. Elm St., which he owns, into public parking that would be made available to the city for a period of 10 years.
The existing building that once housed Main Street Auto Repair has some historic value to it and could be relocated. City staff has been in discussions with the Gilmore Car Collection in Hickory Corners to move the structure there, Maday said.
Councilman Phung Lam praised the proposal and the investment the Wilsons have made in the city over the years.
“You’ve shown that you love the city. You’re part of so many different events. Your buildings are absolutely beautiful. I’m excited to see another anchor to our (Main Avenue) blocks,” Lam said.
Zeeland Record
A local developer is proposing a four-floor mixed-use building at the site of what was once home to Main Street Auto Repair at 303 E. Main Ave.
The City Council Monday night voted to authorize staff to enter into negotiations with David and Laura Wilson of GL Rentals on a purchase and development agreement for the site.
The council selected the Wilson proposal from among three developers who submitted proposals to the city for redevelopment of the 7,700-square-foot property at the northeast corner of Main and Centennial Street. The city acquired the site in January 2025 at a cost of $370,000, with the idea of eventually having it redeveloped.
“We wanted to be intentional of what went there … We were looking for a high-quality, multi-story mixed-use development that fits the downtown corridor and makes good use of this important corner,” Community Development Director Tim Maday told the council.
The city sought in its request for proposals high-quality architectural design and materials, an orientation toward Main Avenue, private project financing and space to include a boiler for expansion of the downtown snowmelt system, Maday said.
The Wilson proposal calls for upper-floor residential units with the ground floor being a combination of commercial space fronting Main and parking and residential in the rear of the building. The proposal is similar to nearby projects GL Rentals has developed at 244 and 238 E. Main.
GL Rentals acquired the 244 E. Main property in 2014, demolished the existing home and built a two-story building with 3,840 square feet of commercial space on the main floor and three two-bedroom apartments in the second floor. Then in 2016, GL Rentals purchased 238 E. Main, tore down the existing home and built a two-story building with 4,320 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and six one-bedroom apartments on the second floor, David Wilson wrote in his proposal.
In addition, David Wilson acquired the property at 126 E. Main, completed an extensive rehabilitation of the building, and then relocated his investment business, Generational Wealth, at that location.
“Our business is really dependent on the Zeeland community,” David Wilson told the council. “Laura taught school for 20 years (in Zeeland) before she joined us. We feel an obligation to invest back in the community.”
Another element of Wilson’s development proposals calls for converting the property at 44 N. Elm St., which he owns, into public parking that would be made available to the city for a period of 10 years.
The existing building that once housed Main Street Auto Repair has some historic value to it and could be relocated. City staff has been in discussions with the Gilmore Car Collection in Hickory Corners to move the structure there, Maday said.
Councilman Phung Lam praised the proposal and the investment the Wilsons have made in the city over the years.
“You’ve shown that you love the city. You’re part of so many different events. Your buildings are absolutely beautiful. I’m excited to see another anchor to our (Main Avenue) blocks,” Lam said.
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