By James Windell
A conceptual plan for a memorial garden and fountain in front of the City Hall was proposed to the South Haven City Hall.
According to Tom Renner, the idea originated with SHOUT for South Haven as a downtown fountain concept, then evolved into a broader memorial plaza concept on the City Hall lawn.
“The intent is to realign and better organize existing memorials that are currently scattered along the walkways,” Renner told the City Council during the council’s regular meeting on March 16, 2026.
SHOUT is a non-profit community organization that seeks to make South Haven a better place to live. Tom Renner is Vice-President of SHOUT.
Renner said that he and SHOUT President Bob Copping envision the memorial garden and fountain as a tribute to local citizens who served the country and to first responders, and as a welcoming public gathering spot. He added that SHOUT has been working with veteran’s groups including the American Legion, Post 49, and Medal of Honor recipient James McCloughan. SHOUT previously completed the Downtown Dykeman Park fireplace project and referenced it as a successful community enhancement.
Before coming before the City Council, SHOUT met with the Parks Commission and reported a positive, encouraging reaction to the concept.
Early expectations, Renner said, were that the total project cost would be around $150,000, and they planned to pursue a dollar-for-dollar matching grant through a state economic development program. Additionally, Renner said that SHOUT would pledge $50,000 toward the project.
However, Renner said that an architect’s estimate produced “sticker shock,” raising concerns that the overall cost was much higher than anticipated. Renner told the City Council that the project remains in the conceptual stage and he emphasized he wasn’t seeking an immediate vote.
City Council members asked about fountain water sourcing and the cost. The City Manager, Kate Hosier noted the fountain would connect to the municipal water system and the city would pay for water like any other customer. Although two fountain approaches were discussed, no estimate was available for ongoing water costs and Renner said they have not reached the practical operating-cost details.
Mayor Annie Brown said that she thought the proposal was a good concept. “I love the drawings and the design plan, so I think it’s very attractive,” Brown said. “And it’s always great to partner with a Bob Copping project. You know, I’m interested in the costs.”
Council member Mary Hosley agreed the cost could be difficult to overcome. “I applaud this,” she said. “The ticket price is very concerning when we at our Committee of the Whole meeting we discussed a special assessment for our first responders.”
Renner responded by saying, “I want to remind Council Person Hosley that when we went to the fireplace project you were very critical of us because we didn’t come to the Council and other boards before moving ahead. This time we have been sensitive to that we feel and I don’t know what more we can do to please you.” He went on to say that the negative feelings made them feel underappreciated and that they were only trying to improve the community.
Mayor Brown said she thought the concept was attractive and she said the City is always interested in partnering with a Bob Copping project.
After the meeting, Mary Hosley said that while she supports the project she was taken aback by “Tom’s attack on me for not saying anything different than what Annie Brown said.” She added that she could only imagine “how vicious it would have been if I raised the Wightman fee.”
The Wightman fee she explained had to do with an item in the consent section of the City Council’s agenda that the council approved unanimously. One item that the City paid was a $13,294.45 bill to the Wightman company, an engineering firm that drew up the renditions of the memorial garden and fountain.
“You have to understand these are our tax dollars going to this project,” Hosley said. “That will add more tax to our residents who are already having a problem paying their bills and now we are approving money for these renditions.”
Hosley concluded that as she said at the beginning of her comments at the City Council meeting that she supports the efforts of SHOUT, “But the hidden costs, the staff time, the budget – these are things I take issue with. They were undertaken before the Council said yes to the project.”
