Macatawa Area Coordinating CouncilOctober 2016
Table of Contents
9th Street Reconstruction Project Received $1.23M
Green Commuting to School
Watershed Funding Study Presentation
Unplug, Upcycle, & Upgrade
9th Street Reconstruction Project Received $1.23M
9th Street in downtown Holland underwent a significant transformation this year. The MACC recognized that 9th Street was a significant east-west corridor in our region and awarded $1,230,000 in federal funding towards the project. The reconstruction resulted in the creation of a bike lane as well as on-street parking along segments of the project. Other MACC funding awards in downtown Holland in recent years includes $475,000 for the resurfacing of 7th Street (another significant east-west corridor) in 2009.
9th street at Central Avenue before changes (left) and then the same location after improvements (right)
Green Commuting to School
Lakeshore Signs and Safety and Dicke provided safety vests for Vanderbilt students. Parents are encouraged to send their kids out the door in the morning wearing the vests so that they can stay safe on their walk to school every morning!!! (Photo credit: Vanderbilt Charter Academy)
October 5th was National Walk-to-School day and schools all around the country challenged their students to walk or ride theirbikes rather than have their parents drop them off in a car. In the Holland/Zeeland area, organizers of the annual Green Commute Week sponsored a fall event aligning with Safe Routes to School and encouraged students to compete in a local School Challenge. In our area over 1,300 students participated by choosing to use “greener” transportation options: walk, bike, ride a bus, or share a ride with others to school.
The winning school with 70% student participation was Lakewood Elementary. Virtually tied for second place were Vanderbilt Charter Academy at 44% and Holland Heights at 43%. It was the first year participating in the Green Commute Challenge for both Vanderbilt and Holland Heights. Job well done! All schools that participated received reflective lights from the MACC to further increase the safety of the students.
Area schools will have another opportunity to participate next spring during our annual Holland/Zeeland Green Commute Week which will occur the week of May 14-20!
Watershed Funding Study Presentation
Thursday, October 27th, 1:30-3:00pm
At the next Macatawa Watershed Advisory Committee meeting a presentation will be made on the results of the West Michigan Regional Watershed Funding Study. The study presents options for sustainable funding sources for watershed management. The meeting will be held at the Howard Miller Library (14 South Church Street) in the City of Zeeland. All are welcome!
Unplug, Upcycle, & Upgrade
Did you 
know upcycling is a great way to live more sustainably? and it can be fun for the whole family!! Join us for an evening creating new and fun items.
4215 56th Street Holland
-5:30-7:00pm: Community expo with local organizations hosting tables with family friendly hands-on upcycling crafts, fun for all ages.
