Grand Haven cross that drew criticism to become anchor

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. – Grand Haven officials have approved plans to convert a 48-foot-tall cross that has stood for half a century on city-owned property into an anchor after residents and others opposed the religious display overlooking the Grand River.

The Grand Haven City Council approved a resolution Monday on a 3-2 vote to limit access to the Dewey Hill property as well as change the display, The Muskegon Chronicle and the Grand Haven Tribune reported.

The cross has been displayed periodically since 1964. City leaders recommended a policy to “limit intrusion on the dune, protect vegetation, limit erosion, reduce debris and litter and generally preserve the dune from adverse impacts.” Dewey Hill is considered a critical dune.

Under the changes, an American flag will continue to be displayed on Dewey Hill. Mayor Pro-tem Michael Fritz called Grand Haven a “diverse community” with many different religions and said that it’s time City Council took that into consideration.

“You can look up there and see an anchor and think it’s a cross in your mind,” Fritz said. “The anchor is more acceptable in everybody’s eyes. We have to move forward.”

Grand Haven Mayor Geri McCaleb and council member Dennis Scott spoke out against the planned changes.

“It’s sad to see a 50-year-old tradition laid to rest,” McCaleb said.

The vote comes after months of debate carried out in part on Facebook by the groups Keep the Grand Haven Cross and Remove the Grand Haven Cross. Council member John Hierholzer also brought up the price of potential litigation as a factor of why he voted for the resolution.

“We’ve spent $12,000 on this and we haven’t even gone to court,” Hierholzer said. “I don’t want your tax dollars to keep going to have your cross or your nativity scene up there.”

The cross has most recently only been raised for the summertime Sunday evening Worship on the Waterfront services, which are sponsored by First Reformed Church of Grand Haven and held across the river. Under the plans, the pole atop the hill may only be configured as an anchor.

Anyone who requests use of the anchor display for purposes other than in conjunction with an Independence Day celebration, the Coast Guard Festival or a Musical Fountain program will have to pay a fee to the city, City Manager Pat McGinnis said.