Downtown Holland Developers Win Award
November 12, 2019
For Immediate Release
November 12, 2019
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Kara de Alvare
Marketing Coordinator, Downtown Holland
150 West 8th Street, Holland, MI 49423
616.796.0472 | k.dealvare@cityofholland.com
www.downtownholland.com
Downtown Holland Developer Wins Award from Michigan Downtown Association
Holland, MI – Downtown Holland developers Geenen DeKock Properties were recently given the award for “Best Downtown Economic Development Project Over $1 Million” by the Michigan Downtown Association for their recent development work in Downtown Holland. The recognition was announced at the MDA’s annual conference, which was hosted by Downtown Holland at the Holland Civic Center Place last Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8.
Chuck Geenen and Doug DeKock of GDK Construction and Geenen DeKock Properties were nominated for the award by Downtown Holland for their development work on 8th Street between River and Pine Avenues and for their construction of the Ninth Street Parking Deck. Downtown Holland Marketing Coordinator Kara de Alvare and Downtown Development Authority Coordinator Amy Sasamoto accepted the award on behalf of Geenen and DeKock.
“As we stated in our nomination for the award, the transformation of the block between River and Pine Avenues is an unparalleled investment in the economic well-being of our downtown community,” said De Alvare, “In a downtown that owes so much of its vibrancy and vitality to public-private partnerships, GDK’s development will play an eminent role in Downtown Holland’s history for years to come. Amy and I were both so pleased that the MDA recognized the incredible value of their investment.”
The project got its start five years ago in 2014, when Geenen DeKock Properties began to acquire all of the existing properties spanning the south side of 8th Street between River and Pine Avenues. Soon after, they announced their bold plans for the block, which included building a public/private parking deck with 380 parking spaces and construction of a multitude of mixed-use buildings that to date has added 66,158 square feet of retail and restaurant space and 72 residential units to Downtown Holland’s footprint. The development also includes Downtown Holland’s only first-run movie theatre, Sperry’s Moviehouse, which features eleven screens, a full restaurant and an in-theatre play land for children. The development also includes snow-melted streets and pedestrian walkways, making it a destination all year round. Construction on the block began in June 2016, with the first major phase completed just three short years later this past May.
Once the final phase of the development is complete, it is expected to add an additional 50-60 residential units to the downtown community. With the addition of new shops, restaurants and the movie theatre, approximately 100 part-time and full-time jobs were created, along with work for hundreds of construction workers. The total project cost to date is just over $40 million and is expected to reach $60 million once construction on the entire block is completed.
About Downtown Holland:
Located in the heart of the City of Holland just minutes from the shores of Lake Michigan and adjacent to Hope College, Downtown Holland is a premier shopping, dining and events destination like none other. Downtown Holland offers over 100 boutiques, shops, galleries, restaurants, and breweries, along with service providers, non-profit organizations, private residences and more. Downtown Holland is also home to family-friendly special events throughout the year, along with unique cultural attractions and an award-winning farmers market. For more information, visit us online at www.downtownholland.com or follow Downtown Holland on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
###
November 12, 2019
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Kara de Alvare
Marketing Coordinator, Downtown Holland
150 West 8th Street, Holland, MI 49423
616.796.0472 | k.dealvare@cityofholland.com
www.downtownholland.com
Downtown Holland Developer Wins Award from Michigan Downtown Association
Holland, MI – Downtown Holland developers Geenen DeKock Properties were recently given the award for “Best Downtown Economic Development Project Over $1 Million” by the Michigan Downtown Association for their recent development work in Downtown Holland. The recognition was announced at the MDA’s annual conference, which was hosted by Downtown Holland at the Holland Civic Center Place last Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8.
Chuck Geenen and Doug DeKock of GDK Construction and Geenen DeKock Properties were nominated for the award by Downtown Holland for their development work on 8th Street between River and Pine Avenues and for their construction of the Ninth Street Parking Deck. Downtown Holland Marketing Coordinator Kara de Alvare and Downtown Development Authority Coordinator Amy Sasamoto accepted the award on behalf of Geenen and DeKock.
“As we stated in our nomination for the award, the transformation of the block between River and Pine Avenues is an unparalleled investment in the economic well-being of our downtown community,” said De Alvare, “In a downtown that owes so much of its vibrancy and vitality to public-private partnerships, GDK’s development will play an eminent role in Downtown Holland’s history for years to come. Amy and I were both so pleased that the MDA recognized the incredible value of their investment.”
The project got its start five years ago in 2014, when Geenen DeKock Properties began to acquire all of the existing properties spanning the south side of 8th Street between River and Pine Avenues. Soon after, they announced their bold plans for the block, which included building a public/private parking deck with 380 parking spaces and construction of a multitude of mixed-use buildings that to date has added 66,158 square feet of retail and restaurant space and 72 residential units to Downtown Holland’s footprint. The development also includes Downtown Holland’s only first-run movie theatre, Sperry’s Moviehouse, which features eleven screens, a full restaurant and an in-theatre play land for children. The development also includes snow-melted streets and pedestrian walkways, making it a destination all year round. Construction on the block began in June 2016, with the first major phase completed just three short years later this past May.
Once the final phase of the development is complete, it is expected to add an additional 50-60 residential units to the downtown community. With the addition of new shops, restaurants and the movie theatre, approximately 100 part-time and full-time jobs were created, along with work for hundreds of construction workers. The total project cost to date is just over $40 million and is expected to reach $60 million once construction on the entire block is completed.
About Downtown Holland:
Located in the heart of the City of Holland just minutes from the shores of Lake Michigan and adjacent to Hope College, Downtown Holland is a premier shopping, dining and events destination like none other. Downtown Holland offers over 100 boutiques, shops, galleries, restaurants, and breweries, along with service providers, non-profit organizations, private residences and more. Downtown Holland is also home to family-friendly special events throughout the year, along with unique cultural attractions and an award-winning farmers market. For more information, visit us online at www.downtownholland.com or follow Downtown Holland on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
###
Contact:
Kara de Alvare, Downtown Marketing Coordinator
k.dealvare@cityofholland.com, (616) 796-0472
