Sharon Vermeer wrote this article for the 2023 Orange City Vibrant Magazine.
Bob and Betsy Huibregrse and Art and Shirley Vogel didn’t know what they were starting when they remodeled the fronts of their business around 1984. The law office and Old Factory both chose to build historic Dutch fronts. They made quite an impression. By 1986, a committee was formed in Orange City at the suggestion of Councilman Phil Back: the Dutch Fronts Committee. “The purpose was to build on Tulip Festival and people’s interest in their Dutch Heritage,” explained member John Buntsma. “We decided to check out other similar towns.” The group looked at Leavenworth, Was. (swiss), Solvang, California (Danish), New Glarus, Wisc. (swiss), and Franhenmuth, Mich (Bavaria). “We collected so much information!” exclaimed Betsy Huibregtse, an original member. “We looked at the towns as a whole: for instance, in Franhenmuth, they had the World’s Largest Christmas Store, German bakeries and clothing, and traditional meals of Germany. Tour buses would come into town even if they weren’t celebrating something.” “The question was how can we drive tourism in Orange City more than just at Tulip Festival?” asked Buntsma. After forming the committee (made up of two residents, one council member, the Chamber of Commerce Director, and the Zoning Officer), the group delved into the Dutch look from the 16th-19th centuries: “I collected thousands of pictures of all the provinces in the Netherlands, and got the paint samples,” explained Huibregtse. “We found shutter designs and door patterns and focused mainly on northern Holland for our first storefronts because of the dark green gables and the simpler patterns. The first thing we would do is try to find actual buildings in the Netherlands that could be used within the design.
The group tried to follow a traditional color palette and offered help with design and signage, the first buildings re-modeled were Woudstras and the old Radio Shack building. “Our objective is to create a Dutch look without making git too difficult to meet the standards,” Buntsma smiled. “We want to help store owners create an ambiance in the community that people don’t see in other places.”
The Dutch Front Ordinace is in effect for all areas which have been zoned commercial and promotes the development and preservation of 16th-19th century Dutch architecture in the OC business district. Approximately 80 properties have used the funds for Dutch Fronts. Approved by the City Council, they pay no more than a 50% match of actual exterior costs.
In 2021, maintenance and renovation funding was made available, with 25% of costs up to $5,000 within a five-year period. Kurt Frederes, the Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer for Orange City, appreciates the businesses that work to show off Orange City, “It’s a big investment, ” he admitted, “we ask the property owner to bring rendering of their proposed Dutch front. If they want, the committee will help with Design ideas. The committee approves the front, materials, color, and design. The latest projects have been Van Engelenhove Insurance, State Farm, and Baker Financial.”
For Van Engelenhove Insurance, it has been a good experience. They had wanted to do the project for years but were having difficulty planning, as it would need to cover three sides of their structure. Marilyn Van Engenhoven finally found a structure in the Netherlands that was similar to theirs with two ends and a front, and they decided to model it after the building. “We took it to the Dutch Front committee, and they approved, Smiled. Ben van Engelenhoven. “We already had approved colors and design, and they were very supportive and encouraging.”
Another structure in town was planned with the Dutch Front Committee. “When the Event Center was built, we worked with the Sioux City architects on the plan,” explained Buntsma.”They were great buildings that kind of mimicked a building in Amsterdam called Concertgebouw, a large concert hall. The basic footprint is not all that different, but the size is smaller, and the interior is very different.”
“Tulip Festival visitors really enjoy the atmosphere that Orange City has created,” he smiled. “We are a unique and beautiful town.”
