Yea. When Trader Joe's opened a year and half ago, it was a big deal. But then again, Lansing has a Whole Foods, and not even Grand Rapids can boast that. Our next closest Whole Foods is in South Bend.

Absolutely. It's a good business plan and will surely succeed in any college town, like Kalamazoo. My wife gets the green olives (I can't stand them). We went for the soft opening which was under-publicized, and everything that day was entirely free. Then a few weeks later they did "Pay-What-You-Want" Saturday, and all the money went to charity. They carry a small but decent selection of alcoholic drinks too.

Crain's just posted an article (really a compilation of reports) about Kalamazoo's support of entrepreneurs...

Catalyst 12, from today. They are moving fast and it's quite a sea of concrete columns now. They are backfilling the area where the parking deck ramp will be poured. I think this building is going to seem massive, compared to the 3-4 story, 1880's-era stuff along Michigan Ave.

https://uoq7ma.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

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Also noticed that this former church along Portage Street in the Edison Neighborhood is slowly being fixed up. But I don't know what the plan is for the building use.
https://uyq7ma.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

This is a prominent corner on the northside that is primed for redevelopment. I sorta wish it would turn into something other than a few tiny houses.

We are getting renderings now for the redevelopment of the site that once was home to the Klover Gold Creamery. Closed in 1997 having being in business for almost 80 years, the site is now being sold to Hollander Development Corp. for $65,000. The planned development is called simply, "The Creamery" and is intended to provide 48 1 and 2-BR units. 15 of those would be designed for 30% area median income, and the remaining would be for 70 to 120% area median income. Also included would be about 7,500 SF of ground floor commercial, to include a 1,500 SF business incubator space. Hollander Development Corp. itself reportedly plans to relocate five workers to a new office here.

This would be right near Washington Square, the center of revitalization efforts for the Edison Neighborhood. I think the design looks good, and appropriate to the area in scale, massing, and materials. I can't post photos right now for some reason (I blame the polar vortex), but you can see the renderings at the link below - EDIT - I was able to get the images to work now.

https://r0hfbg.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

https://skhfbg.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

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Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy Hollander Development Corp. / Byce & Associates

A quick photo of the new Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, nearing completion. This is near the Sprinkle Road / I-94 junction. It's pretty simple, but not terrible, as far as these hotel designs go.

https://suj64g.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

This garbage has been scarring Michigan's landscape for years. The amount of new hotel construction around freeway exits in the last two years especially, is shocking.

I'll add that this is the back view, which is slightly more utilitarian than the front, but point taken.

Have you driven around the I-94 / US-127 interchange, near Jackson lately? That area is a good example of this phenomenon. It's crazy how many brands and new standalone hotels have popped up there in the past 2 years alone.

Yesterday at Catalyst, pouring the first part of the parking deck ramp -

https://fds3yw.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none

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Some downtown Battle Creek updates:

http://www.downtownbattlecreek.com/u...0-%20Image.PNG

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http://www.downtownbattlecreek.com/u...0-%20Image.PNG

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http://www.downtownbattlecreek.com/u...0-%20Image.PNG

^ Battle Creek is really shaping up to have a stellar year. I think 2019 in Battle Creek will feel somewhat akin to how 2018 felt in Kalamazoo. There won't be any tower cranes, but the amount of construction and remodeling compared to the previous ten years will be very noticeable. I should be able to get a tour of Heritage Tower soon, and will post photos if / when that happens.

Public monies to the tune of $10.8 million are approved for the planned Hilton Hotel(s) development downtown. This article also clarifies that the two hotels will be a 118-room Hilton Garden Inn and a 107-room extended stay Home2 Suites. Does not discuss construction start date, but this is a good step.

They are beginning to install formwork for the first concrete beams at the Catalyst site.

2/26/19
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2/27/19
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I'd really hate to see this building bite the dust...so much history, and such great architecture. But the nuns are not too concerned with those things. Their legacy is through their services, not their physical property (according to them). Not sure I agree, but it is a tough scenario to tell them what they can and can't do with their property, when they have done so much for the community. I just wish there was a way to save it all.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7824/...8eccf79b_h.jpgKzoo by Rob K, on Flickr

^ Nice photo! Where'd you take that from?

WMU's Heritage Hall (formerly East Hall).

That's a good vantage point. The Exchange really bulks up the little skyline.

Here's some quick drive-by shots of the 400 Rose apartment development. They are beginning to frame part of the 2nd floor now.

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Developers try again for tax credit on low-income housing project

https://www.mlive.com/resizer/vJ4P64...722CNXAUQ.jpeg

^ I can't imagine that it will not get approved. I continue to hope / believe that it will turn out looking better than the representative rendering.

On the eastside, the plans for the gateway project along East Main continue to materialize. Last fall, there was a 2-day fast build for the first of several small homes on long-vacant, highly-visible parcels. Now there is some more information on plans for the
Eastside Gateway Pocket Park, which will include a labyrinth and other features, and will begin construction this Spring.

The time-lapse of the fast-build is pretty impressive to watch. More about the Eastside Gateway Project.

• Video Link

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Source: Kalamazoo Land Bank | In-Form Architecture

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Source: Second Wave Media | In-Form Architecture

County officials approved the Vicksburg Mill project Wednesday night. Now it moves into the hands of the Michigan Economic Development Center. That MEDC approval is anticipated by early July, which would allow for more tax credits that are essential to kickstarting the development. In total, there is about $30 million in State tax incentives that are being chased (to go toward brownfield cleanup efforts). The entire project is expected to cost at least $80 million, and take 4 - 5 years to complete. In reality, I think it will cost more and take longer, even if all approvals and tax credits that are sought come through.