Grand Haven Harbor Island cleanup costs surprise city council

Grand Haven Harbor Island cleanup spending drew surprise at a July 6 City Council meeting, where councilors unanimously approved more than $370,000 for environmental lab testing, website management and public engagement consulting for the island’s remediation. Harbor Island, an 11-acre site in the Grand River on Grand Haven’s north side, was the former home of the J.B. Sims coal-powered electric power plant and has remained largely undeveloped and contaminated since the plant closed in 2020. The council approved separate orders not to exceed $158,944 for coordination and website support over the next fiscal year and up to $77,069 for public engagement services tied to an upcoming remedial alternative analysis, including a survey and a simulated online town hall. It also approved up to $135,063.68 for groundwater laboratory services via Trace Analytical Laboratories of Muskegon, with discussions noting heavy time commitments for website updates and accessibility. Council members expressed concern about the high totals, while officials indicated only required hours would be worked and that costs may remain significant for future sampling and remediation options.