135 units is a big deal for downtown Kalamazoo. I was shocked when I saw it on MLive. I really like that they are requesting a variance for the ground-floor residential units. I'm a big mixed-use fan, but I've seen too many times in developments were they put in so much ground floor commercial space it never gets filled which always gives the vibe of these developments as being unfinished.

Exactly my thoughts. I knew that the City had their eye on getting it developed, but didn't know something had been in the planning stages for so long. AVB and Hinman really kept it under wraps until they got most of their ducks in a row. There are some spots where it does not make sense for ground floor residential downtown. But I think with this location, it is a good link to the more residential Vine neighborhood. There is some light ground-floor commercial (with apartments above) across from this site, and an adjacent church.

Hey I'll be in Chicago this weekend too! Only Saturday - I have a gig that I'll be performing in downtown.

Air Zoo is really worth the admission if you've never been. But you need a few hours to do it right. I especially enjoyed going over to the older portion of the museum, which is a separate building on the edge of the airport's property, that you can drive to from the newer facilities. That older building is less organized, less crowded with people, and more interesting, imo. It's like exploring an old attic filled with decades worth of hidden treasures. Except that those treasures are old engines and WWII-era airplanes just strewn about. There's usually a restoration or two happening that you can peek-in on too.

Adding 135 apartments downtown will be great. From the rendering the building looks a bit flat. It would be nice if they made the corner a bit taller to help it stand out. The rooftop deck is a nice touch though!

Demo progress from yesterday for 251 E. Lovell -

https://habdsw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

These articles are from a few days ago.

The first talks about the state's recent purchase of brownfield land off of E Alcott Street, near the soon-to-be finished new home for the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department. This whole stretch is becoming quite the public health campus. Right next door is the recently-finished Family Health Center and the Kalamazoo Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services building. I only wish that there was a more cohesive effort to somehow unite the aesthetics of these four entirely different buildings.

https://g6bdsw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: MLive

This second article discusses the planned south neighborhood developments at WMU. No designs or renderings have been released yet, but the $45 million price tag is further evidence that we should be expecting something significant for the proposed new housing. Pre-demolition activities have begun for the old WW2-era bunker dorms.

In other news, ground was officially broken for the new Portage Central MS yesterday. This will be a three-story structure.

Here is a somewhat unique perspective of The Exchange (screen shot taken from the below news story, which also talks about the recently announced 135-unit apartment project at the corner of Lovell and Rose). The video footage is from the top of Peregrine Tower, which is a higher perspective than I can get.

https://gabkxw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: WWMT

Mobilization is already underway for the 7-story Catalyst mixed-use development downtown. Equipment began showing up on site yesterday, and the crane that will be used for boring activities was assembled today. A small perimeter fence also went up today, which I expect will expand in perimeter as work gets going.

Photos from Tuesday, 5/29/18
https://vqszva.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

https://vgszva.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

Photos from Wednesday, 5/30/18
https://vwszva.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

(The Exchange crane in the distance, the pile boring rig in the foreground)
https://vaszva.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

This article explains more about what's going on with the demolition of 251 E Lovell Ave. Owned by Bronson, this vacant research lab will be entirely demolished and the site will become green space until Bronson decides what to do with it. The article also gives a hint at the timeline for the new Bronson consolidated labs project, which will be adjacent to the old Kahn-designed Gazette Building on S. Burdick. Construction for that could begin this Fall. It sounds certain that this new lab will be entirely separate from the historic 1920's Kahn structure, and that there still is not a definitive plan for what will be done with that building, which is currently being stabilized.

I don't know how I missed the Catalyst, but went back and saw the renderings two pages back. That's some fairly exciting architecture, and at seven stories will make for quite a solid piece of mid-rise infill.

BTW, which intersection is generally considered the "center" of downtown Kalamazoo, or does it not have one? Is activity layed out along the mall, or more so Michigan?

Great to see Kalamazoo's surface parking lots being developed.

I think the intersection of Rose Street and Michigan Ave. is generally considered the focal point, although I would say that an equal argument could be made for where the Mall intersects Michigan Ave. A study was conducted in the recent past that determined that the Rose / Michigan intersection is the most highly-trafficked pedestrian node in the City / County. Having the Radisson and the Courthouse at this node is a big factor in that. That said, I would say there is still more general pedestrian-oriented businesses and restaurants along the Mall, but more and more has been coming to Michigan Ave. (and even Kalamazoo Ave. - to a lesser extent) recently.

Agreed!

From yesterday:

https://uwqy4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

https://swszva.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

https://ugqy4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

Western has begun demolishing the Elmwood Apartment complex, in preparation for the future Stantec-designed housing development. Bierlein is the demo contractor (they're just tearing it up all over the city right now). Really hoping for something stellar to come out of Stantec for the replacement housing.

Footage from MLive, taken yesterday:

• Video Link

The first of 16 apartment buildings comes down on Thursday, 5/31/18 -
https://uqqy4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

Abatement is ongoing at other structures prior to full demo -
https://vgqy4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

Check out all the AC units (set aside for hazardous materials / freon disposal) -
https://vwqy4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: MLive | Rebekah Welch

Pretty busy week for development news! Significant upgrades are coming to two prominent senior living communities in the Edison neighborhood.

This is a rendering of the renovated Washington Square Co-Op. Before I clicked on the full story, I almost thought I was seeing a new 14-story tower proposal. I have to say that the upgraded exterior, while better than what is there now, is not super-exciting. It looks like just painting over the existing metal panels, in-between the windows. But the fact that they are planning on doing so much more than just a facade overhaul is good -

https://vqqy4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: WWMT | Courtesy CSI

An older MLive photo shows what it looks like currently:
https://sgqy4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: MLive | Scott Harmsen

Every year, the Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission presents several awards to projects / organizations that promote historic preservation in the city. This years winners were celebrated a few weeks ago. There were seven winners total - 3 residential projects, 3 commercial / institutional projects, and one organization / developer. You can read more on the details of each project at the link below.

1. Charles and Susan Crandall House, 716 Minor Avenue -
https://sgtppq.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: MLive

2. 1304 Merrill Street -
https://vqtppq.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: MLive

3. George and Ella Reed House, 928 South Rose Street -
https://swtppq.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: MLive

4. J.W. Bosman Building, 627 South Burdick Street -
https://ugroyq.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: MLive

5. Civic Theatre Auditorium, 329 South Park Street -
https://uwroyq.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: MLive

6. Park Club, 219 West South Street -
https://uaroyq.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: MLive

7. Plazacorp - A local developer - recognized for the revitalization of six historic buildings, including the Shakespeare, United, Speareflex, Gibson factory, and Illinois Envelope Buildings -

Gibson / Heritage Guitar Factory -
https://7l8g4a.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: My own photo

Illinois Envelope Building -
https://frtrvg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
Source: My own photo

I didn’t even realize Kalamazoo had its own thread. Great to see. As always, thanks for the updates.

Thanks! And welcome to this humble little corner of SSP. If you take the three tallest buildings in Kalamazoo that are under construction / soon to break ground, we are still only at 26 stories total height!

But hey, there really is quite a bit happening here for a lesser-tier city, and I enjoy providing the updates. You won't find any adrenaline-inducing skyscraper updates here, but it seems like at least a few enjoy reading and contributing about the numerous urban developments that steadily keep coming.

I've always liked Kalamazoo. Its history, having the two colleges there, its proximity to GR and Chicago, and being on the 2 Amtrak lines have done good things for it I think.

A friend of mine with whom I worked in urban revitalization programs at the state recently bought a house in Kalamazoo and she loves it, especially compared to Lansing. I always thought if I would have stayed in Michigan it would've been on my short list as well.