|
Kzoo is looking good!
It really is a shame the Advia HQ wasn't located downtown, or at the very least in a more urban setting. |
Quote:
Oshtemo Township's gain is Parchment's loss, when it comes to Advia CU. I don't know statistically how many Advia employees live in Parchment (where the current HQ is) but it is another blow to the struggling community to lose this big of an employer to the suburbs on the west side. Advia seems to be following the likes of Consumers Credit Union and Arbor Financial Credit Union, both of which also recently built their new HQ's in the townships on the west side of Kalamazoo instead of the city proper (Arbor FCU is in Oshtemo Township & Consumers CU is in Texas Township). I don't know anything about any of the land deals or incentives, but I have to imagine that Kzoo could not compete with what these townships were offering. Here are a few more (more current) photos of the 24/7 daycare that will be housed in 7,000 SF of The Creamery. It will occupy the southernmost portion of the first floor and a connected mezzanine level. A 24/7 daycare poses some unique challenges - you need room for children of different ages to sleep, eat, play, and wash. The built-in elements look interesting, and designed to help accommodate these different zones. I can't imagine what a benefit this affordable childcare will be for some families, especially those working second or third shift, with younger kids at home - https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none Source: Secondwave Media |
Revel Creek / 500 Golden Dr.
This new senior housing project at Heritage Community broke ground yesterday - Quote:
https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none Source: MLive | Courtesy Heritage Community of Kalamazoo Miller Davis also posted a photo of the groundbreaking on their LinkedIn - https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none Source: LinkedIn | Miller Davis Downtown Kalamazoo Portland Loo Here is a little more information about the Portland Loo that is being installed downtown this week - Quote:
There is a new construction video update on Kalamazoo College's website about their new Natatorium, which was originally supposed to open 10/10/2020 before COVID-19 had a say. The revised completion timeline is now sometime in winter 2021. This project is slightly underwhelming to me for some reason. I do like the roof though. (link to video) |
A new site plan review document is up for the city. It is a fit-out for 2705 / 2707 W Michigan Ave (retail space in the first floor of this housing development near WMU). I have no idea what Kalamazoo Gallery Inc. (the listed tenant) is. They don't seem to have an online presence yet. The included drawings look like the original construction drawings with just a little new info added towards the front-end. Small beans, but nice to see a storefront get filled with a new mercantile business these days.
|
Red Roof Inn Fire
The Red Roof Inn at Cork & Sprinkle suffered a major fire Friday night. It looks like it could be a total loss. One firefighter was injured. If the surrounding new hotels didn't do this place in, it looks like this fire might have - https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none Source: WKFR Downtown Zoning Updates Approved Not surprisingly (but good news) - the City of Kalamazoo Planning Commission approved the recommended downtown zoning updates on October 1, with two positive amendments:
With recommendation from the Planning Commission, the full City Commission will have a first reading tonight (10/26/20), followed by a subsequent public hearing and a vote at a second meeting to follow. Then it will be for formally approved & adopted. |
KDPS Station No. 2
A new site plan review application is up today, and this one is kind of interesting - it is for the new Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Station No. 2. This will be built at 1007 E Alcott St. in the Edison Neighborhood, but also near Millwood, Westnedge Hill, and Southside. It is on the edge of a solidly residential area, with a bit of industry too. I didn't really know that this was as far along in the design process as it is - https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none Hilton Garden Inn Sky Bridge N. Rose St. is officially reopened under the new sky bridge over that connects the Arcadia parking Ramp to the new Hilton Garden Inn. This was on 10/16/2020. Earlier in the morning it was closed, then when I was driving back home - open. https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none The Mill at Vicksburg Here's some neat info & photos about sustainability efforts with the Mill at Vicksburg redevelopment - Quote:
https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy The Mill at Vicksburg Chick-Fil-A Lastly, and least-exciting (well, maybe not for some people) - the first Chick-Fil-A within the city limits is moving along at the northeast corner of Drake & West Main. It is fully-enclosed and masonry is going up - https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none |
Remember those four residential structures that were destroyed by fire on North St. in June, in Kalamazoo? Well, there is already an ambitious plan in the works for a new, 3-story, mixed-use building to take their place. Coined "The Jabez Project" it will continue the dream that owner / developer Twala Lockett-Jones had to turn one of the destroyed properties into new affordable housing.
I actually am quite excited about this plan. It is a pity that the historic homes are forever lost, but I think this actually could be an appropriate project for the area, which is located on a busier road (North St.) that has been recently targeted for redevelopment as a commercial corridor. This project is viewed as a way to better connect the neighborhoods of West Douglas (very near where I live), Stuart, and the North Side. I feared we would be looking at demolition debris and perimeter fences for so much longer. Hopefully not. Seven Generations Architecture + Engineering is behind the design. 7GenAE is one of the most active & growing firms in the city, doing work nationally (primarily with federal & Native-American projects) and almost always with a public-wellness-oriented approach. I really like most of their projects lately, and it is great to see them engaging with local stakeholders for this mixed-use project. Quote:
Source: 7GenAE |
A new pizza joint just opened up shop, in downtown Kalamazoo (former location of Kelvin & Co.). This one rounds out the local options with a 28", pizza-by-the-slice business model, reminiscent of some NYC locations. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like a good, greasy slice of pie, which sometimes hits the spot!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/p1d4oh1t6l...%27s.jpg?raw=1 Source: Instagram | @downtownkalamazoo https://www.dropbox.com/s/2bnpkhcbzf...%202.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook | Benny DiCarta's |
Bronson held a building naming ceremony last week for its new cancer center near downtown Kalamazoo. It is officially now known as the Frank J. Sardone Pavilion, named in honor of the healthcare group's longtime CEO who retired last year after 32 years with Bronson. It was crappy weather for a naming ceremony, but the building looks good, and it is almost complete, with the first procedures scheduled to occur before the end of 2020.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pvnjlutp6s...%201.png?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/a0rtu3egr5...%202.png?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/nfgog8pejw...%203.jpg?raw=1 Source: LinkedIn | CSM Group |
It's been a while since some construction cam updates with the stuff happening at WMU. Here are some stills from yesterday (which had much nicer weather than today).
Arcadia Flats - https://www.dropbox.com/s/7e0xjuql37...lats.jpg?raw=1 South Neighborhood Overall - https://www.dropbox.com/s/gtkitegd3e...hood.jpg?raw=1 New Student Center & Dining Facilities - https://www.dropbox.com/s/04it2orikh...nter.jpg?raw=1 |
Near the planned new Portage Senior Center, the existing Portage Community Center received a major remodel. Spotted on our walk in Portage yesterday -
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dvqvvxrr59...%201.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/8la5kker2a...%202.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/1mxkrdee9w...%203.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwlwhl3lk1...%204.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/95tvzn6gie...%205.jpg?raw=1 |
|
Tonight (11/5)
There is a public hearing scheduled at 7:00pm for the City of Kalamazoo's Natural Features Protection updates. If the proposal is recommended by the Planning Commission, it will move on to final review and adoption by the City Commission. The updates involve proposed amendments to Chapter 50, Article 6 of the Zoning Code that are meant to clarify interpretation and application of the code, as well as a revised NFP overlay map that would expand protected areas. |
It's not everyday that the Kalamazoo-area has an international impact. But I think this might count... With the very positive news of a 90%-effective trial vaccine from Pfizer, the massive Kalamazoo (Portage)-MI production facility (see it on google maps) is ramping up & preparing to produce potentially millions of vaccination doses in our own backyard. News like this makes me proud to be a Kalamazooan.
Quote:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/b92nmzd8v7...Farm.jpg?raw=1 Source: Jeremy Davidson / Pfizer via AP |
I practically forgot about the planned renovations to Battle Creek's "premier" hotel. It was announced so long ago. Now we hear why there's been a delay. Hopefully this is the best possible outcome... it can't be easy these days to operate a hotel as large and as dated as McCamly Plaza.
Quote:
http://www.imaginekalamazoo.com/proj...owntownzoning/ |
About one month ago, AMC announced it would be reopening the Kalamazoo Portage Street 10 (and 520 other theaters around the country), which had been temporarily shuttered due to COVID-19 (link to article).
Today, news has broke that this theater is now (seemingly permanently) closed. AMC's tenure at this location was sad and short-lived, and its demise is not all that surprising. Even before COVID, it rarely seemed full, with plenty of nearby competition offered by the more suburban GQT 10 on West Main, Celebration Cinema in Portage, and even M-89 Cinema in Plainwell. AMC took over this location in 2017, after Alamo Drafthouse was effectively kicked out by not being permitted to continue its lease. Alamo was there for roughly as long as AMC - 3 1/2 years. Prior to Alamo, Rave Cityplace 14 occupied the building, before its lease was terminated after about 6 years, in 2012. The AMC closure, while no doubt influenced by COVID-19, seems to have followed a similar pattern to its two predecessors. The one consistent factor: Kansas City-based landlord, EPR Properties. I'm not saying this is all EPR's fault, but clearly they don't see the Kalamazoo market as a priority. Quote:
Quote:
|
Here's two other articles on BCU's takeover of Battle Creek's beleaguered McCamley Plaza Hotel. I am curious if anyone on this forum has any experiences staying here, either recently, or in the "glory days" of the past. My neighbor is familiar with it and said that the interior is severely dated, and the windows and most of the HVAC systems have long-needed replacement. The property will turn 39 years old next week.
It is hard to envision right now how Battle Creek can sustain a ~240-room, 15-story hotel. Not to mention, what to do with the connected McCamley Place mall portion. Last time I was in there (pre-COVID) it was a ghost town. Then again, the city pulled off a miracle with the restoration of Heritage Tower (aka The Milton). I wonder if this could potentially become a mix of hotel and apartments. Quote:
Quote:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mtclojcg3s...lace.jpg?raw=1 Source: WBCK | Courtesy Historical Society of Battle Creek archives Same view of McCamley Place in 2019 - https://www.dropbox.com/s/hhvphvcbg4...lace.jpg?raw=1 Source: WBCK | Annie Kelley |
Here's an article containing a bit more info about Revel Creek - the new senior housing that will start construction in January 2021 at Kalamazoo's Heritage Community. Specifically, information about the Memory Care Learning Center Component, which is scheduled to be completed in the initial phase - just five months of construction time - and will include basically everything shown in the below interior rendering. I don't know how they are going to pull that off.
Quote:
Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy Heritage Community of Kalamazoo |
The Kalamazoo Promise turns 15 this week! According to KPS's new superintendentt, The Promise has helped nearly 7,000 graduates of the public school system, and it has resulted in nearly $150 million being invested in the community, so far.
Quote:
|
In local, extremely underwhelming architecture news, the new Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) office at the growing public health services center on E. Alcott is complete. This bland EIFS edifice was designed by Royal Oak-based architecture firm Krieger Klatt and constructed by Walbridge. It "features" a 2-story, 70,000 SF building atop a level of covered parking. This rounds out the campus, which is also home now to the County's own department of Health & Human Services, a Family Health Center, and Kalamazoo Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (now known as "Integrated Services of Kalamazoo").
The majority of this campus sits upon former brownfield property. It is a good example of reuse and community vitalization, turning previously toxic land into a campus devoted to public health. And I have no issues with that. My main complaint is the odd agglomeration of architectural styles. The county health building is a repurposed historic masonry building from the paper mill days. The mental health facility is a 1980's-era, office-park style brick building. The family health center looks kind of like a glass spaceship. And then the state department building is a giant stucco box. It seems like the campus entirely lacks any foresight or masterplan, even though it all came together in just the past 5 years. There's really no rhyme or reason to it (except that the state department building was the one that was most-obviously budget-driven). Quote:
Source: MiBiz (Courtesy Photo) For comparison... The Family Health Center - https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none The County Department of Health & Human Services - https://dm2302files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none The Integrated Services (Mental Health & Substance Abuse) Building - https://www.dropbox.com/s/zhly7mayou...ding.JPG?raw=1 Source: Google Maps All adjacent to each other. |
The City of Kalamazoo dropped three new site plan reviews recently. All three are small projects - all urban garden proposals, all in the Edison Neighborhood, and all led by "Zoo City Farms". The properties under proposal are:
The site plans list Battle Creek-based "The Urban Arts Exploratory & Meditation Center" as the client. |
Recently, the Northside neighborhood, with the help of the City of Kalamazoo, launched an RFP for 501 N. Westnedge, and there was a virtual bidder's conference on Saturday, November 14. This property is a brownfield site, most recently home to an auto repair shop that closed its doors (see it on Google street view). Among other things, the RFP lists preferred uses for the site, several of which are bolded (meaning, they received more than one vote from community stakeholders). This list tells you just some of the deficiencies in the neighborhood -
You can view the RFP here. Letters of intent are due November 30. |
Two new site plan review applications were posted for review today for Kalamazoo.
1. The first is a new Marijuana Provisioning Center at 815 W Michigan Ave. Nothing too exciting here. A portion of an existing fitness center will be converted. This is direct-adjacent to WMU + K-College Campuses & off-campus student housing, so it seems like a no-brainer location. It looks like there will be some site work too, mainly to redo the parking lot. Architect is Driven Design (out of Battle Creek). https://www.dropbox.com/s/1nzmryt83r...%201.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/ijnrn41d7g...%204.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/ddb58nxcpw...%208.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/5gwasp5oph...2011.jpg?raw=1 2. The second is much more significant. There is apparently a Phase 2 of 400 Rose, which I had no idea about. The street address is 234 W Cedar St. This will be directly west of Phase 1, and will take up the corner at W Cedar & S Park Streets. These three houses along S Park and this office building along W Cedar that served as AVB's Phase 1 field offices were already being demolished in September, so I figured something was up, but nothing of this magnitude. https://www.dropbox.com/s/r0nzzbhbdt...%201.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/cdklkio4je...%202.jpg?raw=1 This looks to be almost the same magnitude as Phase 1, which was 4 stories / 135 units. Phase 2 is 4 stories, 101,00+ SF, and 102 new units. The materials and massing look like they will be pretty much the same as Phase 1 too. The CM is AVB. Architect is Progressive AE (out of Grand Rapids). https://www.dropbox.com/s/yw5vm1ozv7...%201.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/es1bo32q3u...%204.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/bp8ywfpjvb...%209.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ybw07isln...2010.jpg?raw=1 |
Here are some construction images of the new Advia Credit Union HQ, taken during a building walk through on November 5. The exterior finishes are nice, and I think the interior will look good too when finished. There is some interior masonry work in the 3-story atrium lobby that will really look sharp. The vertical connections and transparency throughout the interior spaces would never be suspected from the outside. Almost the entire building will feature a UFAD (Underfloor Air Distribution) system.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ys8q75v44m...%201.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/l0fxw3sq7r...%202.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/zpf419z700...%203.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/ytyxus5tps...%204.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/87fubhmsje...%205.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/3gkng5iq0e...%206.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/4vxn8xp5gq...%207.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/vor09o8egj...%208.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/zsl3ta2i4s...%209.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/8vjco7yvvj...010.jpg?raw-=1 |
Thanks for all of the updates. We normally don't see these for cities under 100K. Much appreciated!
Do you know if phase I and II of 400 Rose are market rate apartments? Low income or mixed income housing? Something else? |
Quote:
Quote:
|
This is a little bit of a bummer, but not altogether surprising, given the series of circumstances leading to its demise -
Quote:
|
Here are two more updates that are bummers (to me), in Kalamazoo. An unnecessary reminder in 2020 that you can't win them all.
The first update is disappointing from a historic preservation perspective. I just can't wrap my mind around the merits of knocking down a 140 year old church (one of the oldest left in the city) for a playground. For reasons I've expounded on before, this seems like a terrible move by the adjacent church (which owns the property) and the city (for allowing it to happen). Like most things in life, this decision, at the end of the day, is money-driven. The second update is disappointing primarily because it further mars the potential of the Kalamazoo River near downtown to ever become a draw for visitors and locals. It is being done so that Consumers can run two new power lines over the river to the Graphic Packaging Expansion. Like most things in life, this decision, at the end of the day, is money-driven. All in the name of progress, I suppose. Quote:
Source: Wood TV 8 Quote:
Source: WMUK | Courtesy Consumers Energy View looking south at the Kalamazoo River from the Mosel Ave. bridge. Two power lines will cross here and 720 trees will be removed, further marring the natural landscape of the river - https://www.dropbox.com/s/h9prlmcnms...%202.png?raw=1 Source: WMUK | Sehvilla Mann |
Celebrating 250,000 thread views today!
And to reflect this thread's recent title revision to include Battle Creek, the first two posts - comprising some city background data & project rundowns - have both been refreshed. I'm still going through and updating some of the rundowns with the significant projects that are under construction, proposed, and recently completed in the Kalamazoo-Portage-Battle Creek CSA. So far, the projects currently listed in the rundown represent a combined ~ $2.8 billion + in construction investment. This includes anything greater than $5 million that is completed, under construction, or an active proposal in 2019 or 2020. And I'm still populating the list. It really shows just how much has happened in the three years since this thread kicked off. Check them out here. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
And yeah, local news sources really have gone downhill. 400 Rose Phase 2 completely caught me by surprise as well. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
This latest loss of 302 Academy / First Congregational adds insult to injury, on top of the destruction of the Church of Christ Scientist Building (also on Bronson Park square) and the Congregation of St. Joseph Motherhouse, last summer. I know religion in general is on the decline, but there are so many other ways to reuse these buildings. The historic integrity of Bronson Park is really getting damaged by these losses, and it is made all the more ironic by the fact that that Bronson Park is a designated National Historic District (yet many of the individual properties don't seem to have protection). The local Historic District Commission seems to have their hands tied by the City Commissioners, who are wont to letting private entities do what they want with their property, regardless of history, context & community... ...and we might not be done yet. The fate of the First Baptist Church (oldest church downtown, located immediately behind 302 Academy along Michigan Ave.) is not entirely out of the woods either. Prospects for it appear better than some of its neighbors, at least, with a new owner and a plan to renovate it to provide start-up business spaces. But its not a guarantee. The silver lining of 302 Academy coming down is that it will expose the rear wall of First Baptist, which is structurally failing and needs repair. The only way to feasily access it is if 302 is gone, because they are built so close together. At Risk -First Baptist Church, c. 2011. You can see a bit of 302 Academy's roof in the background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/n9jf623mnu...urch.jpg?raw=1 Source: Pipe Organ Database | Chad Boorsma Lest we forget - Congregation of St. Joseph Campus - https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none Source: My Own Photo Church of Christ Scientist - https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none Source: My Own Photo |
By the way, here's the site plan rendering of the "Children's Nature Playscape" that First Reformed Church is being demolished for, from the previously shared article, as well as another, below -
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bo67vtadn9...ring.png?raw=1 Quote:
|
While updating the project rundown, I cam across a smattering of Kalamazoo site plan review applications that have not been mentioned on here before.
1. Hawthorne Park The first is 205 E Stockbridge "Hawthorne Park". This was submitted in September 2019. It's a bit of a mystery project. The site plan review is focused only on landscaping, but there is a floor plan that reveals two buildings, one of which is mixed use commercial / residential and the other all-residential. I have no clue if this one is even alive still. If built, it would be directly next door to a pretty drab-looking Dollar General. https://www.dropbox.com/s/hga5pao6lj...%201.jpg?raw=1 Source: Kalamazoo Site Plan Review 2. Kalsee Credit Union This new branch office would be located at 3121 Portage Rd. (the corner of Portage & Cork). Currently, there is a 1-story and 2-story building on the site that would need to be demolished. I'll be a little sad to see the 2-story brick structure go - it most-recently housed a Stanley Steemer, and it was originally a city fire station. Everything about this is kinda funky - the site plan, the floor plan, and the elevations. This was submitted January 30, 2020, pre-COVID-19. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ukfd37mdcr...Plan.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/nrau7goa03...Plan.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/d90wpwou38...ions.jpg?raw=1 Source: Kalamazoo Site Plan Review 3. Capital Health Group - Drug Rehab Facility This one is interesting, in that it proposes to rehab. a long-shuttered medical center to turn it into a rehab clinic at 1430 Alamo Ave. It was submitted to site plan review March 10, 2020, so right before the world went to hell. Like the first project, I have no idea if this thing still has legs. If it does, it's going to take some doing - I've been by that building a lot, and it is in rough shape. But it has a cool retro style and it would be really neat if it could be saved. Also, I find it kind of sad that it would be direct-adjacent to Fox Ridge Apartments, a public housing project that is notorious for violence and drug use. I mean, yeah, it's probably good that it is physically proximity to at least a partial portion of the population that it would likely serve, but how depressing is it do drive / walk / take the bus home to your apartment next to the drug rehab clinic? I feel the same way about the lower-income, single-family homes on the east side whos front yards stare right at the back of the Juvenile Detention Facility. https://www.dropbox.com/s/jdgylrvzzs...Plan.jpg?raw=1 Source: Kalamazoo Site Plan Review 4. Water Street Coffee Joint - Drive-Thru Addition (Oakland Drive Location) This plan review is recent (submitted November 16, 2020) - just really small. It proposes a small addition and site reconfigurations at the Oakland Drive Water Street Coffee location to equip it with drive-thru capability. Not much to comment on here - it makes sense in this time and I have no doubt it will go-through as planned. https://www.dropbox.com/s/541xxwob88...Plan.jpg?raw=1 Source: Kalamazoo Site Plan Review |
Kalamazoo -
Site plan review (re)submission is up for the Kalamazoo Farmers Market Phase 1 improvements. This includes a new office / restroom building, refurbished + expanded covered booth areas, and a TON of new parking. I don't have the earlier submission handy to compare to, but it doesn't look like anything substantial has changed. I think it was mostly just delayed by COVID-19. https://www.dropbox.com/s/el2p0ayphi...Plan.jpg?raw=1 |
The Hilton Garden Inn opens to the public on Monday, November 30. This is a pretty big milestone for Kalamazoo, although the news is no doubt hampered a bit by the coronavirus. Its opening marks a few key things in my mind:
Here are a few pre-opening photos from the past two weeks, posted recently on Facebook - https://www.dropbox.com/s/qw1eectjfk...%201.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook | Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo Downtown https://www.dropbox.com/s/fwtsul2eje...%202.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook | Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo https://www.dropbox.com/s/dr4gi2a9cg...%203.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook | Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo https://www.dropbox.com/s/jbyvz3r98c...%204.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook | Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ia4x24g99...%205.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook | Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo https://www.dropbox.com/s/nl66pqs8x6...%206.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook | Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo https://www.dropbox.com/s/xa2cesasud...%207.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook | Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo https://www.dropbox.com/s/828cesdybn...%208.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook | Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo https://www.dropbox.com/s/ki00g7bw2z...%209.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook | Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo https://www.dropbox.com/s/rkuj4k16y7...2010.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook | Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo |
Took a walk downtown today for the first time in a while. Just a few quick shots, first, 180 E Water St, and second, the new Hilton Garden Inn, which opens Monday -
https://www.dropbox.com/s/annr10xs9v...%201.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/hom62g8sb9...%202.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/fetpz0j8y6...%201.jpg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/88zxw6oftj...%202.jpg?raw=1 |
There has been a lot happening behind the scenes via the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority of Kalamazoo -
1. 266 E Michigan Ave. First, a new Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for 266 E Michigan Ave. was posted on November 25 (street view). This building currently houses the downtown Coney Island, which is one of the oldest continually operating restaurants in town, and, according to Wikipedia, "the longest continuously operated Coney Island (in the same location... [since] 1915)." There is an adjacent ground-floor restaurant space that recently became vacant when Ouzo's closed. The three floors above have been vacant for decades, as several plans to redevelop them have come and gone. This new plan reflects a renewed interest in finally developing the upper floors of this key structure in historic downtown's Haymarket District. My understanding is that redevelopment has been challenging for a variety of reasons, including issues related to achieving compliance with current codes & zoning. The current plan was prepared by Southwest Michigan First, and it lists "266 MICHIGAN AVE KALAMAZOO LLC" (Matt O'Connor) as the owner / developer, with an address of 1000 Front Ave. NW Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504. The plan reports that the goal is to develop the upper three floors into a total of 11 market-rate apartments, while retaining the two business spaces on the first floor. The report projects a total investment of $3.5 million. The attachment that includes the floor plans is missing from the report. While this is probably intentional, I did email the city to ask if it is possible to see these. It may not seem like a lot to get excited over - 11 new apartments downtown - but this does represent a pretty big success, if it happens. The upper floors have been dark for decades, and any time a historic building can get its upper floors activated once again in downtown Kalamazoo is a win. In addition to being a BRA property, the building is in a national historic district and it is located within The Opportunity Zone, making it eligible for several sources of financial support. Approval of the development agreement was on the BRA's agenda for November 19. I will follow this post up with some photos. 2. 809, 813, and 817 Porter Street Also on this agenda -approval of a purchase and sale agreement between Innovative Design Properties, LLC and the BRA for the properties at 809, 813, and 817 Porter Street (street view). IIRC, this proposal is going to be some sort of housing development as well. 3. 315 E. Frank Street Third, the October 15 meeting minutes (included in the November 19 agenda packet) indicate that the purchase and sale agreement between Bogan Developments, LLC and the BRA for 315 E. Frank Street was approved (street view). The plan is for a mixed-use development, with a mix of affordable & market-rate apartments. 4. 508 Harrison Street Lastly, the October 15 meeting minutes contain some updates for 508 Harrison Street (street view). Few will recall that this redevelopment proposal was first announced in 2017. The plan is for a mixed-use / affordable housing development, at a projected cost between $12.5 - $25 million. That price range alone is a big clue to how many uncertainties & contingencies still exist for this prospective project, which has ran into numerous snags, including MEDC / MSHDA funding issues, site contamination from decades of industrial applications, site flooding, bad soils... well, just read this one excerpt from the minutes: Quote:
|
More info on 266 E Michigan Ave. -
The building was originally built in 1896, and it was known as the Hall Building. It has a decades-long history of being the home of several hotels, with one business apparently having 44 rooms, which seems like a lot, but I think they were quite small back then. Historical data is sketchy, but I found reference to a "Hotel Reed" and "Hotel Windsor" occupying the building (source). I found some fairly recent photos of the building on Greenridge Realty's website. Many more photos at their site. I am not so sure about the realtor's claim that "The additional commercial space on Levels 2, 3, and 4 boast the building's original character and history just waiting to be developed into apartments or condos." The upper floors look pretty gutted to me - not much original character left. It is the 4-story brick structure in the center - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ch5nsuw1d5...%201.jpg?raw=1 Source: Greenridge Realty, Inc. Interior of the former Ouzo's - https://www.dropbox.com/s/5brk29nc3p...%202.jpg?raw=1 Source: Greenridge Realty, Inc. Interior of the 105+ year-old Coney Island - https://www.dropbox.com/s/u8wc9bqfwt...%203.jpg?raw=1 Source: Greenridge Realty, Inc. Basement cooler - https://www.dropbox.com/s/213iuf5kv7...%204.jpg?raw=1 Source: Greenridge Realty, Inc. Basement dry storage - https://www.dropbox.com/s/oxl8s2zfix...%205.jpg?raw=1 Source: Greenridge Realty, Inc. Look at all of this "original character" :haha: - https://www.dropbox.com/s/vkkou4g1d0...%206.jpg?raw=1 Source: Greenridge Realty, Inc. https://www.dropbox.com/s/dtub1zc2fs...%207.jpg?raw=1 Source: Greenridge Realty, Inc. https://www.dropbox.com/s/iqjk83saw7...%208.jpg?raw=1 Source: Greenridge Realty, Inc. https://www.dropbox.com/s/db0wqrdc8m...%209.jpg?raw=1 Source: Greenridge Realty, Inc. https://www.dropbox.com/s/6xrl4bfno0...2010.jpg?raw=1 Source: Greenridge Realty, Inc. https://www.dropbox.com/s/6h8df0bfs1...2011.jpg?raw=1 Source: Greenridge Realty, Inc. https://www.dropbox.com/s/u7pbwcxpga...2012.jpg?raw=1 Source: Greenridge Realty, Inc. |
Well what have we here? Spotted this while on a walk yesterday, at the new WMU Business Technology & Research Park expansion (known now as BTR North). It is the new Borgess Cancer Center. I didn't realize construction had started already!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/p1fpzeerey...orth.jpg?raw=1 https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none |
This is a big step in the process to connect South Haven and Port Huron with a non-motorized trail system -
Quote:
Source: WKZO | Courtesy Parks Foundation of Kalamazoo County |
It's official - Kalamazoo's new Hilton Garden Inn is open. Click on the link to the MLive article to view 60+ photos. I just included a few below - the lobby is obviously the main show piece. I remember standing in this building in 2017 when it was completely vacant and partially gutted. Quite a transformation from then to now! The hotel will operate at reduced capacity initially.
Quote:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rk05j7xaiz...202.jpeg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/jbmkfv4vf5...203.jpeg?raw=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/2yf3opvhnn...204.jpeg?raw=1 Source: Joel Bissell | MLive |
Interesting headline, because the construction schedule is anything but "on-track" - at least, not on the original track. Let's just say... it's on a new track. Instead of Fall 2020, the new groundbreaking is now scheduled for March or April 2021, with bid openings in January, board decisions in February, and completion sometime in 2023.
Quote:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vnzbe0prj6...%201.jpg?raw=1 District Courtroom - Looking North https://www.dropbox.com/s/ne5gdtswuy...%202.jpg?raw=1 District Courtroom - Looking East https://www.dropbox.com/s/eupg2thqew...%205.jpg?raw=1 Clerk Lobby https://www.dropbox.com/s/n991pyz70h...%203.jpg?raw=1 Security Vestibule https://www.dropbox.com/s/s8sh1n3oaq...%204.jpg?raw=1 Source: MLive | Courtesy Kalamazoo County |
And down she goes...160+ years of history into dust :(
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rpesx170rp...shed.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook - Kalamazoo: Views and Points of View | William Dolak, photographer Edit - I found 2 more - https://www.dropbox.com/s/v8w1q5ml9t...%202.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook - Kalamazoo: Views and Points of View | Steven Richard Ellis, photographer https://www.dropbox.com/s/gk5joxr6nr...%201.jpg?raw=1 Source: Facebook - Kalamazoo: Views and Points of View | Steven Richard Ellis, photographer |
There's an interesting bit of info in this article. We already knew about the planned 3-story mixed-use building to replace the building that burned down at 902 W. North St. But this is the first I've read that the three remaining parcels (where three other buildings burned down) are also all going to potentially each have their own new apartment building. One of those might also have some ground floor commercial space. Now granted, each of these projects they will be relatively small, and things are preliminary still, but it is good news.
Quote:
|
A good-sized bond project is on the drafting table for Battle Creek Public Schools. Specifically, the district is looking at converting Northwestern Middle School into a K-8 arts academy. The majority of the $40 million bond would go toward construction & remodeling costs for this project, with a smaller amount going toward renovations to Springfield Middle School, which is transitioning toward an integrated service learning model.
I think Northwestern MS was originally built in the 1960's, or maybe 1970's, judging by the architecture seen from google maps. Quote:
Source: Battle Creek Enquirer | Battle Creek Public Schools / C2AE |
The site plan review drawings (including plans & elevations) for the new downtown justice facility have been posted to the city's plan review site. I will work on converting & posting the images here later, but if anyone is curious and wants to see these now, just follow the link below -
https://www.kalamazoocity.org/docman...e-12-3020/file I totally overlooked the fact initially that the front of this building faces Eleanor St. and not Kalamazoo Ave. Instead, the back faces Kalamazoo Ave. with mechanical / utility enclosures and sparse activity along the street edge. There have been some comments on Facebook about how this symbolizes the county government's turning of its back to residents of the north side. That's a bit too literal of an interpretation for me, but it's just an interesting point of view that I had not thought about, and perspectives matter when it comes to a civic building of this magnitude. I think the design team did a relatively good job of addressing the "arse-end" of the building, all things considered. And there's no arguing that the more pedestrian-focused corridor is to the south / southeast, not the north. |
long time lurker here who finally bit the bullet and signed up after seeing your reliable and well-written updates, Deja Vu!
Have you heard any updates on the development in the parking lot across from Blue Dolphin on Burdick? I think the address was 433 S. Burdick, and is a Hinman property. If I remember correctly, the design team approached the city commission at one point to ask for special use exemption to have the property hang over the sidewalk below. |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 7:03 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Prev