In other collegiate news -

Skimming the master plan, it looks like this is the existing wing that will be renovated, and then the new addition for automotive technology will built to the south of that. Something to keep an eye on for sure!

[QUOTE=deja vu;10088226]A mishmash of things today, including several aerial views that I have been saving up, from some of our local, talented drone photographers -

City skyline, from about a month back, with the changing leaves -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4ih30...mkrdbc6y&raw=1
Source: Facebook | William Dolak

Another angle, with a closeup on the new(ish) 180 E Water St. / Catalyst Development -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xbg3i...q4og0ukg&raw=1
Source: Facebook | William Dolak

A late summer aerial photo from near Kalamazoo / Battle Creek International Airport, right beneath the final approach vector for runway 35. This is a great shot that really exemplifies the natural "valley" topography of the city -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pxjkm...k6ol7qnl&raw=1
Source: Facebook | Caleb Stauffer (Stauffer Aerial)


These next three are all aerial views concentrated on the four blocks of Arcadia West, which are being cleared & vacated for the future event center. The last few of the old buildings on these blocks are now cleared -


https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2jgw1...0numa4wm&raw=1
Source: Facebook | Caleb Stauffer (Stauffer Aerial)


A unique, low-altitude fish-eye rendering of an empty downtown Kalamazoo on Thanksgiving day -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3s1om...xy39if2v&raw=1
Source: Facebook | William Dolak

It’s great to see Kalamazoo getting a event center it’ll help open the doors to even more opportunities with its already remarkable run of downtown development over the past decade or so.

Great set I picked out a few favorites. Downtown has come a long way from my school days when we’d pack up for the weekend and decide to hit up wastern for a spot of drinking. The difference in Western’s campus is night and day from what I’ve seen it was a bit bleak with the 60’s-70’s era student housing and student center especially if your walking hungover for some T-Bell in the am.

Downtown improved in ever way shape and form perhaps there was more to it 12-14 years ago but I didn’t interact with it like I did would in Ann Arbor though that’s a bit unfair. The Kalamazoo promise seems to be one of the unhearled success stories of our time. Perhaps because it involves free education. The caveat if I remember being a district graduate and it’s only up through the junior college level (though with a nice easy transfer potential) it’s disappointing that more cities haven’t taken up the idea.

Kalamazoo has had a remarkable turnaround and it’s kept right on going. West Michigan’s strong economy certainly hasn’t hurt but Battle Creek was in a similar position to Kzoo a back in the day. It’s not apples to apples each city has its strong and weak points but Kalamazoo has been able to use its strength in education as a springboard and tapped into the strong regional economy.

BC is a bit further east though there are some nice lakes in the forest north of 94 between the two cities it’s not within as easy reach of Lake Michigan though it’s less snowy. Kzoo doesn’t have a major corporate HQ like BC does in Kellogg’s although the opportunities for the white collar jobs aren’t plentiful like the cereal production jobs were. BC seems to be making some strides towards improving its rather stagnant position the Marshall battery plant and the HSR line continuing on from Detroit to Toronto both offer some opportunities.

I think there’s a good tale of two cities tale to be examined what Kzoo has done and succeeded at what BC has done to improve its downtown and didn’t succeed the pedestrian street in the downtown shopping district comes to mind. A pedestrian street isn’t necessarily a bad idea perhaps bad timing and execution can be partially blamed. Battle Creek has an opportunity to capitalize on its riverwalk and plenty of parking to redevelop or expand green space across from downtown. Getting some more mixed use redevelopments in its quite nice downtown for a city it’s size is another opportunity.

Love the fisheye aerial.

I'm among those who click on this thread, when I see it updated. I like Michigan cities and I like to see what the peer cities of the city I post on are doing. Which everyone should do.

The similar-sized city I post on also offers some type of free college to local high school graduates up to the junior college level and they can transfer to a four-year college. They are required to stay in the city for two years after getting that degree or certification. I think Kalamazoo started that movement, which I think one or more (not sure how many?) states have tried... yes, at the statewide level! There was an effort to make it national at one time.

Thanks for sharing all of these thoughts! You brought up some interesting points.

I don't have as far back of a reference point as it sounds like you do for Kalamazoo. I think my first time visiting here was 2012. We moved here in 2015. So I can really only (personally) recall back about ten years, and it wasn't until we moved here that I began to really understand the urban context (and form my own opinions about it).

In that 8-year time span, I'd say that the city has definitely improved in most (but not all) categories of measurement. I think the biggest challenges still seem to be homelessness, higher-than-average violent crime rates, higher-than-average poverty rates, and a shortage of affordable housing options. No doubt those issues are all somewhat intertwined.

I wish Kalamazoo hadn't lost as much downtown building stock as it did in the back half of the 20th century - if more of the historic commercial (and even lighter industrial) buildings could have withstood the test of time for a few more decades, we would have that many more opportunities for repurposing structures into badly-needed housing. Housing development - especially any with a public funding component - moves at a glacial pace around here. Take the modular tiny home proposal that came to light in the dark, early days of the pandemic, - the city has yet to even determine an acceptable chunk of property to park them on (they've been debating that topic off-and-o for the greater part of 3 years now).

As for the downtown not having a major corporate HQ like Battle Creek does, I've thought about this often, and fantasized about what the city would look like if Upjohn (now Pfizer) hadn't fled downtown to the open pastures of Portage, starting in the 1940's. And for that matter, why doesn't Stryker, a fortune 500 company, will all of its billions, have a downtown presence? Because they also opted for building sprawly-type campuses in the cheap, open fields of Portage with their friendly corporate tax structure. Don't get me wrong - Kalamazoo still benefits vastly from having Stryker and Pfizer in its backyard. There's hardly a project in the city that doesn't have an Upjohn or a Stryker-related family name tied-to it. But, if one or both of those entities had a major presence downtown today, can you imagine...? This fantasy usually then leads me to wish that Portage had never incorporated as a city. Once it did, the fate of Kalamazoo proper's manufacturing future was pretty much sealed. Instead, as it is, Kalamazoo City's two largest employers? Bronson Healthcare (~9,000) and Western Michigan University (~ 6,000). And guess what? They are both non-profit / tax-exempt entities with massive footprints within the city proper. Now obviously, these contribute to the economy in their own way, with many high-paying jobs, education, etc. But it's not the same as a corporation pumping guaranteed tax dollars into city coffers each year.

Kalamazoo is a bit of the inverse of many cities, wherein more people live in the city proper, but they commute out to the suburbs for daily work. Sometimes I think it would be great if Kalamazoo, Portage, and the remaining, eviscerated chunks of Kalamazoo Township (where I reside, btw) all just coalesced into one unified municipality. It would have a population of roughly 150,000 - which would put it in the top-five largest in Michigan. They could share public infrastructure, everyone could vote on things that affect them every day, there could be one unified public safety department, one unified school district, etc. etc. Where I live, I'm surrounded on 3 sides by the city limits. I live three minutes from downtown where I work. And yet, I can't vote for the Mayor. The main argument against this is that taxes would go up. That argument made sense like 60 years ago. But not so much nowadays. For the average homeowner, I suspect that taxes would only increase slightly, and the benefits would be vast.

Battle Creek and Kalamazoo also both have huge opportunities to capitalize on their riverfronts. I'd give both about an F+ grade in this regard. I think most casual visitors to Kalamazoo probably don't even realize that there is a prominent river located a few minutes' walk from the downtown. I know industrialization and pollution have played a huge role in both cities turning their backs on the river. But a lot of that pollution has been mitigated now, so why is development (even of parks and walking trails) still so stymied?

The Upjohn Company, Building 41, under-construction in Portage, 1941 (below). To me, this symbolizes the beginning of the end of large-scale manufacturing within the Kalamazoo city proper. BTW, if you aren't familiar with the story of Portage's incorporation as a city, check it out - it is an interesting one. Basically, a race against the clock between Portage Township (to incorporate), and the City of Kalamazoo (to annex it), in a bid for the Upjohn money. Spoiler alert: Portage won that race.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mvitk...8h1q4x86&raw=1
Source: upjohn.net

Thanks for visiting, and ditto to you! Kalamazoo should take some cues from Winston-Salem. It looks like a happening place - one that I hope to visit some day.

Yes, I'm pretty sure Kalamazoo lays claim to being the first entity to try a system like The Promise. A state or nationwide system sounds amazing... one can dream.

Portage -

I've not been keeping close tabs on Kalamazoo's ever-suburbanizing neighbor to the south. It's usually less-interesting development to me, and it's just hard to celebrate sprawl. Because of that attitude, I missed some things that will bring a little more density to the city. While updating the project rundown in the opening post of this thread, I noticed two substantive residential projects planned for Portage.

The first is StoryPoint South, a 3-story, 177,000 SF / 172-unit senior housing development at 8150 Creekside Drive. According to MLive, this was expected to break ground last May, so I will have to swing by there to see where things are really at. The facility will have studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, grouped in a memory care wing, assisted living wing, enhanced living wing and 93 independent living apartments. It will compliment the existing StoryPoint Portage facility that is located at 3951 W Milham Avenue.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0upp4...fpgs5w1t&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zcpha...e531gwqz&raw=2

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yuf30...g0l3sg7b&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2j1y4...x6mr32wb&raw=1
Source: MLive | City of Portage

The second project is Kings Landing, a 95-unit apartment and townhome complex, to be located at the SE corner of Constitutional Blvd. and MLK Dr. (directly across from the new Dr. MLK Jr. Park). The proposal consists of two three-story buildings and one four-story building (which qualifies as a high-rise, by Portage standards). 82 apartment flats and 13 townhomes. Of the apartments, 33 would be one-bedroom units and 49 would be two-bedroom units. The project was approved in late-2022 and it required a rezoning from RM-1 multifamily to planned development in one of the last remaining developable plats of land from the original Romence and Snow family farms. More info -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yi27t...i6k0nogo&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gcpef...72jma3mu&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/x73h2...jyf9rro6&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/aarrm...wb5gnl5n&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vipsj...bc0r6b7b&raw=1
Source: MLive | Integrated Architecture | Provided By City of Portage

There is an old church that is currently being demolished on Kalamazoo's Northside, at 1101 N Westnedge Avenue. Originally known simply as the Reformed Church, it was built in the late 1800s by a growing congregation of Dutch heritage. The reformists eventually move to the suburbs in 1981, and rebranded as Centerpoint Church around 2000. They have been thriving there ever-since, and today, they are not even aligned with the Reformed Church in America (source). The building had several tenants through the succeeding years after reformists left. Most recently, it was sold by the North Westnedge Church of Christ to the Galilee Baptist Church in 2021 (located across the street in their own building since 1971).

An aerial view, from August 2021 -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/s5s1l...rsbpsa8i&raw=1
Source: Flickr | Bill Dolak

An interior view, taken March 2023 by someone. In clear disarray, but potentially still salvageable (for a high price) -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/a0ujx...jkk47o9p&raw=1
Source: Google User Content

Recent demo photos -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4qxmb...gffl9ldv&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1yi6a...kdwm99wl&raw=1
Source: Facebook | Heritage Architectural Salvage & Supply

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/soflq...9l6fb5uj&raw=1
Source: Facebook | The Galilee Baptist Church

My first reaction was disappointment and resignation that yet another historic church was coming down. I assumed it would just become a grassy lot, or parking. But, the Baptists actually have a development plan for the site. Per their website:

A concept rendering of the proposed housing development is below. Still sad to see the church come down, but at least there is a good use planned for the land, which hopefully comes to fruition.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qu1oi...p0261jfr&raw=1
Source: Facebook | Clare Hollander

WMU plans to tear down dorms, build new residence hall
https://www.mlive.com/resizer/m4ZK2q...HBES3ITGAQ.jpg
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...ence-hall.html

^ I recall years ago WMU announcing its intention to demolish all (3) of the Valley dorm complexes. Then it just went quiet. I think maybe a combination of less enrollment, along with focusing more time and capital on the south neighborhood reimagining, might have both played a part. So, this isn't a total shock, it just makes me wonder how soon until Valley 1 & Valley 2 also will be demolished. WMU is methodically erasing its sprawlier, mid-century past, in favor of denser, more-concentrated mixed-use districts that are less auto-centric. It's like its own little mini-city.

There's a downtown Kalamazoo placemaking workshop scheduled for tonight -

I ended up attending both days of the workshop. Mostly out of curiosity to see what the process is, where things are at with design, and what the collective mindset is. Overall conclusions:

1. They are still very early in the process (just at the conceptual level).
2. SmithGroup is currently contracted only through Schematic Design. Then the city will evaluate.
3. They are studying 4-5 different downtown areas for placemaking enhancements. Results will be reported for the city, to help them prioritize and budget for improvements.
4. The participation was pretty light (only about 25 folks the first night, and less than that the second night). I don't think the event was advertised very well, and it being on a weekday at 5:30 pm with bad weather probably did not help.
5. Demographically, the representation at the workshop was mostly middle class, middled-aged (or older), white / Caucasian. Not too surprising perhaps, though the design team did acknowledge this and explained that they received a greater representation of diversity in the feedback from earlier in the process last fall. There is also an online survey option.
6. Lots of discussion around non-vehicular circulation and connections. The most "controversial" probably being whether or not to re-open the two blocks of the Kalamazoo Mall that are north of Michigan Ave. to vehicular traffic.

Overall, I'm excited that they are studying this, but still a bit skeptical about what will actually be implemented. The updated conceptual drawings will be posted soon for online viewing. A little more info / news coverage below-

Separately, this video flyover is out-of-date now, but shows progress at KVCC's Career Connect Campus -

• Video Link

New renderings for $300M downtown arena cast spotlight on Western Michigan University
https://www.mlive.com/resizer/UBhEIs...VJMYWCCZ3M.jpg
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...niversity.html

The Arena-area site plans show a parking ramp sitting on the site south of Arcadia Creek previously planned for high-rise residential development. I hope this prompts more dense residential further west toward the WMU campus along Michigan / Stadium Dr.

And does the 'multi-use event hall' seem kinda .... small?

So is it *actually* happening now? Or moving in to year 23 of planning :haha:
I do hope it's built and it triggers some mixed-use development on the surrounding blocks.

^ I'm not loving that design. It feels clunky and funky, and not in a good way. I admit it is hard (even unfair) to past judgement on it with out being involved in the planning sessions directly. I'm sure there are reasons for all of the moves portrayed in these renderings. I'm not a big fan of the giant Bronco logo, or the prevalent use of brown and gray materials. The whole thing looks very dated and chaotic. And yes, the event hall does look small to me. Overall, a lot of clashing ideas and concepts.

And it's hugely disappointing to see zero mixed-use / housing component whatsoever.

There's clearly a lot to work out in this design still. Here's hoping for better, through the design process.

A mish-mash of other updates, in no particular order -

1. The Corner Bar & Grill is being demolished. The building, located at the southwest corner of Mills & Vine, was pretty large - basically a 6,000 SF wooden shed. The bar's existence was before my time, but plenty of folks on Facebook are lamenting the lost / reminiscing about the good times had here.

This photo was posted online, taken 1/19/24 -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/u81uu...du5cezuw&raw=1
Source: Facebook | Rose Norwood

Here's another from 1/21/24 -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mnog3...ck33wkze&raw=1
Source: Facebook | Justin J. Byrd

I did a mini deep-dive to try and learn more about the past & future of the site. It closed more than a decade ago for day-to-day business (in October 2011), reportedly due to the tough economy at the time. It remained in some capacity as a base for The Corner Catering Company (though I'm not sure if that is still operating, as the last Facebook post was April 2020). Based on city GIS data, it reads like the main building was only 35 years old, but per this MLive article, that seems to actually just be a reference to when the bar opened, relative to the date it closed, which would be 1976. The same article says the structure itself was built in 1887. Which surprised me, because based on the 1908 Sanborn Map, it definitely looks like there was a detached residence standing on this corner at the time. So something isn't adding up.

The current ownership is also curious - the taxpayer is listed as "Choose Your Home, LLC" - with an address that traces to a medical office in Oshtemo Township (3601 S 9th St #2) that is operated by a Stephen Dallas, MD. "Choose Your Home" also owns an empty lot on the opposite side of Vine. Even more curious, the owner is listed as "Atlas Housing & Development, Inc" with a physical address that points me to the Blue Dolphin restaurant, in downtown Kalamazoo (502 S Burdick St). This doesn't make much sense, because the owner and taxpayer info for the Blue Dolphin doesn't match that. In conclusion, I really have no idea what is intended long-term for this site, but based solely on the names of the involved entities, hopefully some sort of new development is taking its place.

Also, sad to read that the owner - Scott Robinson - died in 2015, when he was only 48 years old (obituary).

2. The Zone 32 / Bogan Development is officially complete. Article link below, including some photos plus a teaser of more development to come -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3vvlr...tgccq64e&raw=1
Source: Nate Pappas | MLive

3. In potentially good news for fans of nature (I am in that camp), the owner of Drive & Shine has officially withdrawn a rezoning request for the lot at the southeast corner of Stadium and Drake -

4. Seemingly out of nowhere, it was announced recently that Wild Bull - closed since the start of the pandemic - will reopen in February. Could this be the start of the renaissance of Kalamazoo's downtown nightlife district? :laugh:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vmuic...n1l23xch&raw=1
Source: Instagram | @wildbullkzoo

5. (technically in Parchment, but, close-enough) The announcement that the YWCA will purchase the former Advia CU HQ ish is potentially good news. If nothing else, it will activate the building more. And Advia CU is going to maintain a branch in the first floor -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/v5s4v...l8bprq8s&raw=1
Source: Ryan Boldrey | MLive

6. The city announced it plans to purchase & install two more "Portland Loos" in the near-future.

A picture of the first Portland Loo that was installed in 2019, near Arcadia Creek Festival Site. It is currently downtown's only 24-hour public restroom -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hm4n4...j5u2j7j4&raw=1
Source: Jessi Phillips | WMUK

7. Speaking of Arcadia Creek Festival site, the City Commission reviewed and approved the 2024 budget on January 2024. During the public comment period, residents pointed out that the city had earmarked $1.65 million for a redesign of Arcadia Creek Festival Place. It's well-known that this site needs a new life, but it was the first I read that the proposed redesign by the city would involve dividing the site roughly in half, in order to make room for a mixed-use residential building, with the remaining park half being fenced in. As you could imagine, this doesn't sit well with many (including myself). I'm all for bringing new housing downtown, but not at all in-favor of fencing off one of the last remaining spaces in the city that the unhoused can shelter in. So after the commenting period, Commissioners voted to remove the funding for Arcadia Creek Festival place, and they passed the rest of the budget unanimously. You can read more about it here -

8. While visiting the Kalamazoo Valley Museum last weekend with my daughter, I snapped a shot of the recently-opened Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety "station", located on the north mall. Granted, it was 10:30am on a Saturday, but it looked completely empty and dead. Not welcoming at all, and completely possible to miss entirely. Little more than a vacant storefront with a sign. I wonder as to the actual function of this space, and the discussions around creating it. Is it there to appease adjacent residents in the pricy condos? Is it a glorified break room for foot / bike patrol officers along the mall?

(photo is a bit washed-out due to the window reflection and the morning sunlight)

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/h8acl...eyt7j2jn&raw=1

9. (technically in Oshtemo Township) the former Chime School (6750 Chime St) is soon to be demolished. Most recently, this housed a charter academy. I know this era / design of school is pretty "dime-a-dozen" but a part of me still cringes when something like this gets torn down. So many memories for so many former students in that building. The owners of the building reportedly really let it fall apart though (or, to put it a nicer way, couldn't afford the upkeep) -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8je08...mq0nx6k0&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9g1ea...pnjt2bnt&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/f5s9k...4lya5kzl&raw=1
Source: Facebook | Kevin Worth

10. That small K College "addition" that I commented about, a few posts back (see Post #999) is actually part of a much larger project, intended to upgrade the entire medium-voltage infrastructure on the campus, which is 80+ years old. There's a short video about it here, posted by OAK -

• Video Link

11. Related, this work will lay the foundation for supporting other initiatives of the campus master plan, chief among them, the new residence hall that is planned for along W. Main. While we still don't have any renderings or details, the info on the Facilities Management page gives us a few clues -

• Site Area ±55,000
• Gross Floor Area ±95,000
• Height 55’-65’
• Number of Stories 5
• Site Area Open Space ±25,000
• Number of Parking Spaces ±235 adjacent spaces

Close to the road and at 5 stories, this will definitely impact the experience approaching / leaving downtown -




Source: facilities.kzoo

12. KPL is closing the Alma Powell library branch on the northside, due to a change in security protocol by the Douglas Community Association, which owns the building that the library operates within. There could be a silver lining to this though, as long-term plans involve either moving the branch to a vacant space that would be renovated, or else building a new building entirely -

13. In Comstock Township, Schupan & Sons has opened a new recycling facility, located behind the Midlink Office Park -

14. Site plan review documents have been posted for 266 E. Mich. Avenue. You can peruse the whole packet here - it is a full construction document set. The focus of the review is on the proposed addition of a stair tower & elevator shaft on the back (south) side, to accommodate the planned apartment conversion. Overall good to see and hopefully this gets through the review without too much delay. It will be great to have a few more housing units in the core -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fim1l...ngj1kjs2&raw=1
Source: City of Kalamazoo

15. The old neon sign on the Paris Cleaners at Crosstown Pkwy. was reportedly just removed. I can't find any info on why (is it being restored, are they closing, is it permanent? etc.). Here's an older photo of the sign (from 2011, when it was last restored) -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n91ab...rwrldb4s&raw=1
Source: Flickr | Bill Dolak

16. Nearby, Barrio is set to open any day now (a few months later than originally anticipated). Here's a peek inside - it looks like they will have a walk-up service window opening into Haymarket Plaza, which is pretty cool -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/w3v18...mxj4l7ke&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/iox9a...rk40qkha&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/04dol...yhadex25&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1vb50...019u2eqi&raw=1
Source: Facebook | Treystar

17. Last, the city is planning to install a bunch of new security cameras in / around the Epic Center Parking Ramp (43 to be exact). I've never felt threatened or unsafe in there; I wonder if it is more an effort to curtail actions by unhoused, including public urination. There is a strong stench in the stairwells and elevators. This could also be a prelude to some rumors that I've heard, regarding the intent to do a full Epic Center renovation -

Yesterday, I went and checked out the Reformed Church building that is being demolished in Kalamazoo's Northside, at 1101 N Westnedge Avenue. It is little more than a pile of debris now -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/iuvb2...wm52ex2o&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lr4rx...336y6gbq&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9yrvi...jv3bxhei&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ziua3...3iaou0sj&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ad35w...v2ch62e3&raw=1

Fortunately, at least someone was able to salvage the old church bell -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wa1ra...512saw24&raw=1
Source: Facebook | Tim Doorlag

As one comes down, another one rises. Here is 530 S Rose, from a few days ago -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7rop1...4p0p6ze4&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5cn65...jsyw1t2w&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n3fa9...dxzx989y&raw=1

Two new site plan reviews have been posted -

708 N Burdick St (review date: 2/21/24) - mixed-use redevelopment of an existing building to create some ground floor office space and six residential units. The existing building is one of the last remnants of a one-time commercial district (located here).

2156 Race St (review date: 2/28/24) - public park improvements, planned for Southside Park, in the Edison Neighborhood (located here).

The City Commission took up the topic of the planned Arcadia Creek Festival Site renovation again, in a meeting of the whole, last week. City planners tried to set the record straight on what the development plans are. Apparently there was some misinformation / misinterpretation of the early design documents. The assistant city planner clarified that there was never a plan to enclose the public portion of the park with a permanent fence, and that while it is true that they want to develop the northern portion of the site into housing, the proposed layout of the remaining space will actually result in more usable space than what is there currently. Overall, this is a bit more reassuring to me -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yoysl...vqe2yeiw&raw=1
Source: MLive | City of Kalamazoo

Visually from the street, there has been very little progress at 530 S Rose in about a month. Today I spotted a crew unloading boards that I guessed might be used to start setting framing for the 2nd floor, but not 100% sure about that -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xgqq5...fjpu90kn&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rwpii...gg6egk22&raw=1

In other "tiny" news, a sign popped up at the Corner of Westnedge Ave. and North St. sometime last week, for the Tiny Houses of HOPE project. So I guess this might actually happen. I still think it is a weird location for tiny homes, at such a high-traffic intersection. I snapped a quick drive-by photo as I was turning -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dwlw2...tofhsv4n&raw=1

I had some business at WMU earlier this week, and so I finally took a look inside the new student center. The finished result is pretty sweet. It felt very active and welcoming; I ended up opening my computer and just working there remotely for a few hours. There is good WiFi, ample seating, and numerous food options. I also took some other photos around the rapidly-evolving main campus.

Student Center -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/eypks...cxcv99n7&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fhuao...z4609fz8&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/62y9j...feque6st&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xvjts...m3ygiu3z&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/f7itr...2ali1s8b&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jy65s...pbji0f00&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/uk9o5...nuqht3n8&raw=1

Dunbar Hall Renovation (about to open) -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ujd3c...n9d6zbyh&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/f34x1...q7c0com1&raw=1

Miller Auditorium front terrace / accessibility upgrades -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/acl8t...ium2o03h&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xyb0z...ll03pfcn&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2sccn...3vdn8hrx&raw=1

New Hilltop Village parking deck, u/c -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5qlx4...qbmlf153&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/re162...cojujizc&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dqufs...xhnqzzxf&raw=1

Bernhard Center (the old student center) is fenced off and will soon be demolished -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/di59v...14asw9b0&raw=1

Kalamazoo Township -

I'm slow in posting these photos that I took on the 17th. The remodeling work at Kalamazoo Central High School has begun. The $4 million project consists of replacing all of the original exterior, precast aggregate panels with insulated metal wall panels, resulting in a refreshed look and more energy-efficient building -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/chcrj...lmki6wxw&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yrq7d...jt27jo7g&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5uaht...6r8h4euu&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/go9sy...oo88x976&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p5tw1...qh9c10o0&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/d5qzl...83nh3a5u&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/b3n10...p3wpsu9v&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/u5l1c...ez3voh01&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yku25...1xokwatq&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7htqt...qoqzsfc4&raw=1

Bonus shots of the new baseball / softball fields (the snow is all melted now) -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4kfjf...f21mosb5&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/tlv9i...6vt9mhyw&raw=1

And just like that, we have a core! At 530 S Rose -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o3047...r7jze0ye&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vloe0...ndj4dehr&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/cph13...5zd5ovjn&raw=1

I’ve said it before but I’m definitely a fan of the new WMU Student Center. I like the Dunbar Hall renovation the landscape architecture takes what is a new glass addition to a rather bland building and makes it into a cool inviting lower entrance area.

I like Miller Auditorium in general the new accessibility set up is well done. For a building of its time period it’s aged well ascetically speaking. The new stairs and ramp are understated& use of grey stone looks nice and fresh without standing out. As a matter of fact they did a good job making it look like it’s meant to be there.

530 S. Rose
 

I drove down Walnut and Rose today, and I have to say 530 S. Rose is going to look very large. I can't recall when Kalamazoo has built anything so close to existing buildings. And the core looks taller in person. Maybe they added another level since that pic?

The photo you posted shows a very ragged 120-year old house next door to the south. Can't imagine it will be there very long in the condition it's in. We're so used to seeing anything new in Kzoo surrounded by new parking lots (400 s. Rose), this comes across as ... different. I like it!

If you want to browse through some far-more professional photos of the finished student center (which I highly recommend doing), check out the link below:

https://www.archdaily.com/1013546/we...m=projects_tab

Yeah, Miller is visually OK. The new accessibility features are a definite improvement. The existing interior (and exterior) is pretty plain, and the interior support spaces are showing their age. Having played on that stage a few times, it is still functional, but not great for certain types of productions. Still, it manages to pull in some good traveling Broadway acts. I think much of the upgrades & investments since its inception have been directed towards continuing that possibility.

I agree with your thoughts here. I am glad that the zoning allows such tiny setbacks along this corridor. I'm not sure how the neighbors feel (I imagine not great), but I think many of them are rentals, so they may have less long-term sentiments about the shadows and the soon-to-be obstructed views out their back window. My guess is that the two houses immediately south of here (534 & 536 S Rose) are not long for this world. I'm about 95% certain that the pink house (534) is vacant. This is the worse of the two, at least visually from the exterior. GIS shows it was built in 1911. I think the blue house (536, also b. 1911) is currently occupied. I think it's a similar story for the two houses to the north (514 and 518). 514 is an occupied rental (year built is N/A on GIS but presumably similar timeframe). I think 518 is vacant, and is in worse condition (b. 1915). 514 is zoned 201 COMMERCIAL-IMPROVED. The other three homes are zoned 401 RESIDENTIAL-IMPROVED. I could see all of these eventually vanishing and being replaced by denser, mixed-use development.

I'm intrigued (and, dare I say excited) by this news about The Crossroads Mall, which turns 44 this year -



The mall was purchased by Kohan Retail Investment Group in 2022. Kohan also manages the property. I don't know what their track record is for reviving dying malls, but The Crossroads has more potential and life than other malls in the region (think Battle Creek's Lakeview Square). Anecdotally, I have read several comments that observe that the mall has not felt this active in years.

I love the idea of embracing mall walkers, instead of shunning them. And trying to revive the food court to offer some variety and make it more of a destination seems smart. I'm realistic and know that it will take more than a few new dessert shops to revive a nearly-800,000 SF shopping center. But I have so many different ideas about how The Crossroads could become relevant once again to the local economy. Hopefully, management does too. If this experiment succeeds, it could become an important regional precedent in how to revive dying malls.

This update comes on the heels of other recent news, reflecting investment in the mall and its surrounding environs -

What’s coming to The Crossroads mall? Two iconic dessert brands

Portage to start work to support Crossroads mall area property values

12 new businesses opening in Portage's Crossroads Mall

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 -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3iy7d...uvg0dqe1&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1hnom...af64rw4t&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2ci1d...ct8twsd4&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/g253o...6jwyersr&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jld8e...m9m48ihi&raw=1
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 -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lixr2...puuodw9w&raw=1
Source: WKZO | Courtesy RCKC

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4rxy4...tdjfhcmx&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hfzkk...qzsblyax&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/l7clw...vhsr7qkh&raw=1
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?

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ajq1s...3k0a4yjg&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/msg1c...iohgtmzy&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/07yxa...geez0t8d&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xfpz3...qds8u9u5&raw=1

4. Tall Timbers

Progress photos from Tall Timbers in Portage - wrapping up for summer occupancy -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jezle...1x4ehd3n&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/aa7bb...oaujtsrd&raw=1
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 -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4gpzi...t921d1l3&raw=1

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 -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/54wni...ska1nwa4&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/a1j24...79xyjjy9&raw=1
Source: City of Kalamazoo

Some photos of the existing bridge, immediately before demo began -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/myz6b...zi507eo5&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rfj1q...6svzmpb7&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/40si6...rclovgzh&raw=1
Source: MLive

Roadwork nearby (also on Inkster) recently unearthed some old street car tracks -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zn37k...3t4zxisi&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rxwg8...fpl1h77a&raw=1
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 -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7i485...7fv0ynuf&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/33vp0...hqriqm1u&raw=1
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 -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9bovr...qngumfls&raw=1
Source: Facebook | Sarah Katherine Gerger

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lkknn...6k1cb1um&raw=1
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 -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/adick...pixu0mtr&raw=1
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 -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/iaxlr...acmf314y&raw=1
Source: Facebook | William Dolak

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/59q1y...ci2ozyn4&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ci30b...gql3bk5l&raw=1
Source: Facebook | William Dolak

Kalamazoo -

KRESA CCC (Career Connect Campus) progress photos, from a week or two back -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lzt7i...cad3x5ui&raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | George Kacan

Cross-laminated timber panels and glulam beams being installed -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/83lab...b6kw7ryz&raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | Blake Nichols

WMU Facilities posted the following update on Monday, along with an informative aerial view that shows the Hilltop Village progress -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jriz8...g7xi38gh&raw=1
Source: Facebook | WMU Facilities

The Gretch, making an appearance at the ribbon cutting for Phase 1 of the Zone 32 / Bogan Development, located at 315 E Frank Street, a few days back. Despite the gray weather, it's always a nice day when the Governor graces our fair little city (I spot former Mayor Bobby Hopewell there too) -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ba2en...nwvfkaoa&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4diej...j2w8rito&raw=1
Source: Facebook | AVB

Texas Township -

The Redwood Building on KVCC's main campus is getting a full renovation, soon to open as the new School of Cosmetology and Barbering (general location). The college will begin fully offering cosmetology and barbering in Fall 2024, in the 10,000 SF space. I appreciate the small nod to the original Alden Dow-designed tower feature, seen in the first picture below -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/u6c0q...a33rdxtd&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4751d...mftdo2fw&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dv668...ax1cjqs3&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dv668...ax1cjqs3&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dv668...ax1cjqs3&raw=1
Source: Facebook | Abonmarche Byce

Some slightly older photos, from end of February -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/febp4...q6cmvojs&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/febp4...q6cmvojs&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qrwbi...rxmgungu&raw=1
Source: Facebook | Abonmarche Byce

Portage -

PPS update (a bit overdue - pics from throughout March). Progress at two of the new elementary schools that are u/c. I was just thinking to myself the other day that these must be pretty far along by now, and boom - I found this update on the bond website -

1. Central Elementary -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6vjgo...lniqp2uq&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pex62...4pyhiv87&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5g91u...9pz2hpql&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/t9heh...6bs42a4r&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zmm7h...ry3s09y7&raw=1

2. Haverhill Elementary -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/c6qxy...105rk74d&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ru0sz...wyegt90b&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jceyo...bi2tq6pd&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/v3unt...nci8y0as&raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yclsv...ht6htdwj&raw=1
Source: portagbond.com

Kalamazoo -

Updated renderings were shared this week for the future event center. The development will consist of two primary buildings - the event center (north of Arcadia Creek) and a large parking deck (south of Arcadia Creek), connected by a skybridge. There will also be a public plaza (east of the parking deck). None of info this is new, but the design has clearly seen some refinement. The city has also agreed to vacate 17 ft. of W Water St. to support the development plans. Also, on Monday, the city commission approved a contractual agreement with CD Arena LLC for construction of water and wastewater systems in preparation of the new arena. As of yesterday, I saw crews already on-site. They were also conducting soil borings.


Source: Facebook | WWMT News Channel 3





Site plan


Site plan detail -

Source: MLive | City of Kalamazoo

W Water St Vacate Plan -

Source: City of Kalamazoo

W Water St Perspective View -

Source: City of Kalamazoo

They really need to screen that parking deck or incorporate it better. It completely blocks the event center and looks like a big concrete barrier.

Agreed. It surprised me a little to see it so open / exposed. Hopefully that particular element / screen just has not been determined yet.

The waterfall feature looks cool, but my mind immediately goes to long-term maintenance. It could be a neat element to light up at night / maybe project a team logo onto. But I see that as the first element to go, on the VE chopping block.

Here are some current views of 530 S Rose St (now known simply as Rose Place Senior Living). The building is reaching it's full massing, as they frame out the final (5th) floor. A mix of found photos and my own. There is also a slightly updated rendering on AVB's website -




Source: Facebook | AVB








Source: My own photos (taken 4/17/24)


Source: AVB

The scale of the new Kalamazoo Country Club still blows my mind. This LinkedIn video, posted by All State Crane & Rigging, shows overall progress on the site. It doesn't even look like this crane is large enough to cover the whole thing. Screen grabs below -












Source: LinkedIn | All State Crane & Rigging, LLC

Just since I saw them in my feed, here are some renderings of the Country Club. They're not all that new, but I don't think they've all been posted on here. I spot eight tennis courts, three pools, water slides, a large hot tub, and a splash pad. This thing truly is gargantuan -








Source: LinkedIn | Tim Rayman

$32.7M project will bring 82 apartments, new restaurant to downtown Kalamazoo
https://www.mlive.com/resizer/v2/5WE...500&quality=90
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...kalamazoo.html

^ I knew this thing still had legs, as I had overheard some things from the developers. But I wasn't expecting this news to drop this soon. My initial thoughts on this:

The new rendering is definitely a step in the right direction from what we saw initially.

Interesting to learn that the architect is Bosch - it is a pretty large-scale, quite-complex historic project for such a small firm. I hope they pull it off.

I think the restaurant idea is a good one... it seems like they are probably looking ahead to when the event center is built. Once that opens, I expect this area will have a lot more foot traffic & demand for such establishments.

A few photos of KRESA from a recent group tour (not my own). You can begin to picture how the central commons will come together -




Source: LinkedIn | George Kacan




Source: LinkedIn | CSM Group

Kalamazoo -

Inkster Ave. Bridge progress. While maybe not as unique as it's timber-framed predecessor, it still looks good and will be much more efficient -




Source: Facebook | The City of Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo -

Well, this is mildly interesting. The vacant Hallmark Living building at 3625 W Michigan Ave. might finally be demolished to make way for a 3-story, 223-unit apartment complex. The submitted site plan review documents don't afford much detail architecturally. The entire existing nursing home complex (built in the 1960s) would be demolished, and it looks like the new building would feature a center courtyard with a pool. I assume this will be targeted for students attending adjacent Western Michigan University. The project is simply titled "Kalamazoo Multifamily" and the client is listed as Kalamazoo Realty Holdings, LLC. The architect info appears intentionally left out in the title blocks on the floor plans.










Source: The City of Kalamazoo

Two new developments will be coming to Kalamazoo. The first is a new 4-story hotel in the Milwood neighborhood and the second is a 228-unit, income-based apartment complex that will overlook the Kalamazoo River.

Former Kalamazoo restaurant, gas station, could be transformed into 4-story hotel
https://www.mlive.com/resizer/v2/I4J...280&quality=90
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...ory-hotel.html


New apartments on Kalamazoo River will offer 228 income-based units
https://www.mlive.com/resizer/v2/VPY...500&quality=90
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...sed-units.html

The River's Edge development seems to have been trapped in development limbo for at least 4 years. It will be a mixture of relief & surprise, if / when dirt actually starts moving. Good to see that the unit count has not substantially changed (in fact, it has gone up a bit since 2020). Currently, the vacant site is home to a small encampment of unhoused persons.

As for the proposed Residence Inn, it's pretty "meh" news. But... an income-generating hotel is better than an empty restaurant. The only other immediate hotel options adjacent to the airport currently are the Hampton Inn and the Days Inn (which recently suffered a partial fire).

In other news, I saw this article yesterday, with some info about the design for the new Woodland Elementary, in Portage. Paywalled, but you get the picture -

Also, the City of Kalamazoo has more than $100 million-worth of funding going right now for roadwork projects (and trying to drive around town, it shows). WMUK did a story about it recently -

Lastly, here's some great, recent drone shots of downtown Kalamazoo, taken by Bill Dolak -






Source: Facebook | Bill Dolak

Kalamazoo -

They are beginning to tear up the roads for utility work at the event center site. These four blocks will start to look very different, very soon. Kalamazoo Ave. utility / roadwork on the left -


Source: Facebook | Bill Dolak

On the heels of news about a proposed new Residence Inn near I-94, news now that the existing Residence Inn at the corner of Portage and Kilgore Rds. will reportedly be converted into permanent housing. I have some nostalgia for the older, "cottage-style" hotels with multiple detached buildings, but it is a fading concept. The new hotel will have a much more generic tone. But it is a logical conversion proposal for 80+ units of badly needed housing -

A full remodel of Burdick's is in the works:

https://www.kalamazoocity.org/files/...ns20240628.pdf

Includes a duckpin bowling alley and a massively expanded outdoor seating area along Michigan ave

We dined at Old Burdick's a few months ago and it really needs a refresh. Hopefully this goes well. In studying the plans, I noticed that they will also expand into the gift shop, replacing it with a bar area open to the main lobby (a likely no-brainer for generating more income).

There is a growing trend of new food establishments in Kalamazoo, especially along the downtown Michigan Ave. corridor. In addition to this, Barrio, High Dive, and Crafted Copper have all recently moved downtown, or will open soon. We are in for several more years of downtown infrastructure upgrades (at least), but maybe these are some early fruits of the city's labors to reshape downtown?

This article seems timely, and gets right at that topic:

Nice shots of downtown dig one aligned with pedestrian mall. The corner shot is cool too the new apartments help add height and mass that makes the most of and bring together the more significant structures of K-Zoo.

It’s good to see the event center moving forward it’ll help what’s been an underutilized section of downtown grow moving forward.