HOLLAND, Mich. (WZZM) - Windmill Island in Holland is celebrating 50 years. Saturday morning city leaders gathered to pay tribute and share their vision for the future of one of the Lakeshore's greatest landmarks.
"It has become really a piece of the identity of the community, if you do searches of Holland Michigan you're going to see a lighthouse and you're going to see this windmill," says Holland Mayor Kurt Dykstra.
Enrique Reyes first saw the windmill as a child, he returned for the first time Saturday as an adult.
"So it's been 40 plus years since I've been here and the first time coming back I thought this would be the perfect time, the weather is great, I figured we'd come out here and celebrate the 50th anniversary just to see the windmill again and see how much it's changed," says Reyes.
That change included a major restoration in 2013. According to City Manager Bryan Cotton, there are more changes planned for the future.
"A key change this time next year will be a pathway along the causeway from our downtown to Holland Charter Township to the north a bridge across the river and will connect our communities in ways we've never had before," says Cotton.
It's a 2.6 million dollar project. Funding will come from a grant from M-DOT, the state's Natural Resources Fund and the city of Holland. Cotton wants more people to enjoy the area.
"Rather than 65,000 people here why not 200 or 365 thousand people," says Cotton.
