 |
| Street Address: |
 |
| 270 River Ave |
| Date of
Construction: |
| 1910 |
| Historic Name: |
| Holland City Hall |
| Common Name: |
| Holland City Hall |
|
| In late 1908,
Holland’s City Council designated a committee to study the needs for a new City Hall
as the population of Holland had grown to 7.790, and was expected to climb well over
10,000 by 1910. In January of 1909, the committee recommended putting the matter on the
spring election ballot, in the form of a proposal to sell bonds not exceeding $50,000 for
the new building. The issue carried by 1284 to 866 in favor of the new building, and sale
of bonds was negotiated that spring. Selection of an architect was done by advertising for
competitive sketches, and on the basis of 10 sketches submitted, Edwyn A. Dowd of Lansing
was engaged for a fee of 4.5% of the total project. The choice was not unanimous, however,
as Mayor Henry Brusse has to cast the favorable vote to break a 5 to 5 tie among the
Aldermen. Design work went quickly, and in September a contract was let to George
Rickman Sons Company of Kalamazoo for the construction of the building in the amount of
$40, 955. Additional contracts were awarded later to N. Jonker of Holland for plumbing and
heating in the amount of $3,700, and to Capital Electric Engineering Company of Lansing
for wiring the building in the amount of $733.
In terms of use, however, City Hall has witnessed a continuous evolution. Environmental
Health office once housed the Police Department and Jail. Council and the Municipal Court
met on the third floor, which also housed the Department of Social Services. And
"not-so-old" timers may recall that the Library was located on the south half of
the second floor (now occupied by BPW offices and Council Chambers) up unitl the Herrick
Library was finished in 1961. |
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