Some updates from around our changing city. Mostly Kalamazoo proper, but a few outlying things too...
1. Radisson Plaza Hotel Renovation -
The Radisson has finally finished a renovation project that started in 2020. All 340 hotel rooms have received a makeover, along with the main lobby areas and 50,000 SF of meeting and event spaces.
The paywalled article below includes photos, some of which I've re-posted here. To me, this renovation is a direct result of other recent hotels that opened downtown, increasing the competition and thus Radisson's motivation to up their game -
Source:
MLive | Provided by Radisson
2. Road Commission of Kalamazoo County New Facility
This is one of the bigger projects that I really did not track at all. But it is now finished. The $65 million facility consists of seven new buildings that provide offices, vehicle storage, and road salt storage on the outskirts of town, at
4400 S 26th St. in Comstock Township (about a mile west of the current facility within Kalamazoo city limits). There was an open house this past Thursday for the public to tour the new facility -
Source:
WKZO | Courtesy RCKC
Source:
WWMT | Philip Gawel
3. 530 South Rose
Some recent pictures taken by me last week of 530 S. Rose St. I was reflecting on this realization while taking these pictures: while the 4 over 1 / five over 1 housing typology has been quite popular elsewhere, it has been very slow to catch on here in Kalamazoo. Other than this project, 400 Rose, and maybe Tall Timbers down in Portage (see next update), I can't think of very many examples. For how much we hear about the need for more housing options in and near downtown, the construction of new units is still just a slow trickle around here. Any thoughts why?
4. Tall Timbers
Progress photos from Tall Timbers in Portage - wrapping up for summer occupancy -
Source:
Facebook | AVB
5. Kalamazoo Public Library RFPs
Kalamazoo Public Library is requesting proposals for professional design & construction services for the construction of a new Alma Powell Branch as well as space needs study for the Kalamazoo Public Library. Links to both RFPs are
here.
Just for fun, I snapped this a few days ago in the central atrium of the downtown branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library, standing in the lower level and looking up through three more floors. The futuristic architecture is pretty dated, but this is still a cool moment -
6. Inkster Avenue Bridge Reconstruction, etc.
Reconstruction of the
Inkster Ave. Bridge that traverses over Bronson Blvd. started this past Monday. Based on the state of the existing wood-framed bridge, one could easily guess that this bridge was quite old. But it only dates back to the 1990s. The replacement will not have as much charm, but will still have some stylistic elements integrated into it, along with dedicated space for cars and bike lanes in both directions. Not to mention, a desperately needed modernization from a pure safety standpoint (the current bridge has been closed to traffic since May 2021 due to structural deficiencies). Needless to say, getting around parts of Kalamazoo south of downtown is going to be a pain again for a while, with this work, and the much more impactful Westnedge Ave. & Whites Rd. reconstructions all happening concurrently. The $1.6 million bridge replacement is expected to take until around Labor Day to finish -
Proposed bridge rendering and detour map -
Source:
City of Kalamazoo
Some photos of the existing bridge, immediately before demo began -
Source:
MLive
Roadwork nearby (also on Inkster) recently unearthed some old street car tracks -
Source:
Facebook | Dennis Benson
7. Electra Lounge
About a month ago, news dropped that a new dining establishment will take the place of the former Union, which closed in 2020 at
125 S Kalamazoo Mall. Called The Electra Lounge, it is billed as: "... a vibrant and unique establishment that brings together the best of both worlds - a cozy bar serving a variety of alcoholic beverages and delicious pizzas, coupled with an array of entertaining activities for adults."
8. 812 - 820 Academy Street
These three houses at the bottom of Academy Street were recently demolished by Kalamazoo College. Somewhat inevitable, and yet also somewhat sad, this demolition was an early step in the college's eventual goal of a new gatweay building, as part of its greater master plan. The plan also includes an eventual realignment of Academy Street. The gray house in the foreground below was built in 1865 -
Source:
Facebook | William Dolak
9. Days Inn & Suites Fire
Lastly, there was a pretty bad fire at the Days Inn & Suites near the airport, earlier today. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. But several people are going to be put out - the hotel includes long-term tenant units -
Source:
Facebook | Sarah Katherine Gerger
Source:
WWMT | Michel Abels
10. Henderson Castle
If you missed it elsewhere, the Henderson Castle is up for sale. The
listing price is $5 million.
11. 322 E Stockbridge Demolition
The City Commission approved an agreement on March 18 to proceed with demolition of the vacant structure at
322 E Stockbridge Ave. It most recently served as office space for the MI Dept. of Health & Human Services. There are currently no plans for what to do with the land. The demolition cost is projected to be higher than $1 million. A former bingo hall located on adjacent property closer to the road (328 W Stockbridge) was demolished last year for $183,000 -
Source:
MLive | Joel Bissell
12. Aerial Views
Lastly, here are a few dusk aerial views by local photographer Bill Dolak, from over a month ago. The first is near Stadium Drive, looking west towards Kalamazoo College (February 12, 2024). The second two are downtown -
Source:
Facebook | William Dolak
Source:
Facebook | William Dolak