City needed public input on center

When I came across the “announcement” of the most recent plan on the future of the Civic Center and outdoor parking/activity abuse, I thought about writing another opinion, but decided it best to understand others’ observations and opinions.

I am with the opinion expressed July 17 from Brian Polet (“Civic Center “intentions” misguided,” July 17). Like so many others in our growing city, residents in or nearby describe the involvement, or lack thereof, in so many ways around important decisions. Yes, this most recent plan evolved quickly and was presented just ahead of the current mayor departing.

I happened to catch a portion of that decision announcement on one of our local TV channels and I was very interested in the coverage presented by our Holland Sentinel the day after. It is my impression, particularly when reading The Sentinel, the announcement was our then-mayor informing us, since no public open discussion in advance, of why a possible $2 million investment should have us ready to embrace.

In agreement, this was the current mayor seeking one more significant decision be added to his list of successful efforts. Yet, The Sentinel coverage the day after and Mr. Polet’s recent comments, makes it clear this moved through whatever system for a few people’s opinion somewhat included. Just as the current city manager responded to Mr. Polet, the community involvement, alongside little city council involvement, was yet again terrible with decisions being made under the then mayor.

It makes little, no sense to me why this current plan was developed, presented quickly under the “vision” of somebody offering $2 million to get their plan in place for an $11 million project. And having the mayor’s last few days of June and his expectation of city council, city staff, community members to be excited remains well beyond me.

I now hope to understand just what City Manager Ryan Cotton and our new mayor sees for the future of growing downtown Holland further and how best to gain overwhelming local support in whatever planning process is initiated. Brian Polet reminds us how again a small set of folks who literally buy a vision for our downtown even when an important activity that brings people walking distance to/from downtown are not invited to understand an idea and provide feedback.

Martin Dugan

Holland