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Heard this on the news this morning:
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Oshtemo Township -
I missed this last month, but Borgess has announced its plans to construct a new cancer center in the WMU Business Park expansion, right on the edge between Kalamazoo City and Oshtemo Township. They bought the first parcel there last fall. This is typically how things go with the two large, competing hospital businesses in town. Bronson builds something, then Borgess builds the same type of something. Bronson's 6-story cancer pavilion downtown is set to open end of this year. Quote:
Source: MLive | Courtesy Ascension Borgess |
Here's another article about the recently passed hotel tax, as it applies to Kalamazoo -
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Great update!
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Western Michigan University's Dunbar Hall is about to undergo a $40 million renovation, that will include stripping parts of the existing 5 1/2 story structure down to its structural skeleton. The upgrades to this 1970's-era structure will further transform the rapidly changing main campus. There are a few renderings from a recent Town Hall meeting.
Existing: https://ghvzvq.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Renderings: https://ghv4vq.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://ghv5vq.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://ghv6vq.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: WMU Capital Projects |
Just for fun / as an aside, here are a few renderings (not previously posted) of the new WMU Aviation College Addition and Renovation in Battle Creek. There's also a live construction cam at this link.
https://gxv5vq.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://gxv6vq.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://gxvzvq.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://gxv0vq.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://gxv1vq.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: WMU Capital Projects Here's a webcam screenshot from today - https://gxv2vq.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: Oxblue |
A little update on the county courthouse project. It really doesn't say anything new of note, save for the fact that it confirms construction should start this summer, which would mark a major milestone for Arcadia West (where no construction, save for surface parking, has occurred for decades).
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Big update / catch-up list today. Some familiar things, but I also tried to highlight some of the less obvious things going on around the region. Let's start with some infrastructure improvements...
Flood Control in Kalamazoo The City of Kalamazoo recently approved additional funds for additional dredging of some waterways, for better flood control in the Crosstown Ponds / Axtell Creek areas. The actual amount of material to be removed ended up being higher than initially estimated. This is by no means glorious work that will get SSP enthusiasts excited, but it is essential nevertheless. Quote:
https://hhszag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hhsaag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hhsyag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: Joel Bissel | MLive Flood Control in Texas Township Texas Township has also had some struggles with flooding, around the several lakes that are loaded with upscale residential development. Recently, the Township conducted a study to determine legal lake levels. This study will inform the proposed long-term solution to alleviate flooding, which includes plans to build a horizontal well and drainage system. This would be paid for through a special assessment district. According to MLive, Quote:
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https://hhswag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none May 2019 https://hhsxag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hhsqag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none June 2019 https://hhsrag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hxsyag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hxszag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none A diagram from a presentation slide in January 2019, illustrating a temporary solution to move water from Eagle Lake to Crooked Lake to a wetland area with a series of pumps. https://hxsaag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source for all of these: Joel Bissell | MLive Cork Street Redesign The City of Kalamazoo is starting work in March to reconfigure Cork Street from west of Lovers Lane to Sprinkle Avenue. The work will take most of 2020 and will be a "road diet". 4 traffic lanes (2 in each direction) will be converted to 1 lane in each direction with a dedicated center left turn lane and dedicated bike lanes on both sides (similar to what has been done on portions of Portage Road recently). There will also be infrastructure / utility upgrades. Quote:
Source: MLive | City of Kalamazoo KPS Transportation Facility This is kind of infrastructure-related too. Construction progress continues on a new transportation center to serve Kalamazoo Public Schools. This is one part of the many projects funded by the largest public bond ever passed in the district's history. I think the location for it on Ravine Road is rather bizarre. It is northwest of the city center in a pretty remote area and surrounded by industry and gravel pits. But I guess the land was cheap. I would have rather seen this be an infill project closer to the city center, and where it could be accessed by pedestrians or cyclists (to encourage alternative transportation methods for staff / bus drivers). https://hxsuag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hxsvag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: LinkedIn | Tower Pinkster Affordable Housing in Portage Here's an article about the oft-overlooked problem of affordable / equitable housing in the more affluent city of Portage. Poverty and homelessness / home instability is still an issue here. The article discusses Portage's new affordable housing project off Centre Avenue, named Selinon Park. It also mentions the new FedEx distribution facility, which is under construction on Portage Road, near-ish the airport. Quote:
In addition to its seven new primary care facilities going up around the county, Bronson is moving forward with plans for a new ambulatory / outpatient orthopedic surgery center in Texas Township. The facility will be about 18,000 SF and is expected to break ground in the Spring. It will be immediately adjacent to the new primary care facility being constructed near the northeast intersection of I-94 and 9th Street in Texas Township (off of Beatrice Dr). According to the press release, "Over the last five years, the number of surgeries performed at the hospital has increased 15%." It will cost about $21 million, and it will contain four operating rooms. https://hhsuag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: Bronson Health New Chick-fil-A It's official. Work on the new Chick-fil-A is actually starting. Demolition is proceeding for two properties on the northeast corner of West Main and Drake. It sounds like the big delay ended up being more related to the city's hang-ups over the business' religious / political discriminatory policies than anything to do with curb cuts or driveway access. But now we can thankfully all move on and soon we will be eating more chicken. https://irswag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/treys...150834177-z-9h Natural Flavors Expansion This is a little old (I think the project wrapped up over a year ago), but I never shared photos. "Natural Flavors" is the name of a fairly large, local company that produces extracts used in food flavoring. It greatly expanded its existing facility recently. Tower Pinkster was the local architect, and recently posted some completed photos on LinkedIn. https://hxsxag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hxsqag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hxsrag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://fbsyag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://fbsaag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: LinkedIn | Tower Pinkster Advia Credit Union HQ Advia Credit Union just celebrated its topping out ceremony. OK, so it is only 3 1/2 floors, but it still marks a milestone for this large, suburban-ish headquarters. The purple beam was a nice touch. https://fbsxag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://fbsqag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://fbsrag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://frsyag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: LinkedIn | Byce & Associates The same building, from a few days earlier - https://fbsuag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://fbsvag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://fbswag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: LinkedIn | Byce & Associates St. Augustine Cathedral Renovation These photos are about 1 month old now, but St. Augustine Cathedral in downtown Kalamazoo is undergoing some extensive renovation work https://frsuag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://frsbag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://frsaag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://frsvag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: LinkedIn | Miller Davis 180 E Water Street 180 E Water St is going gangbusters. Lots of glazing installed, sheathing and weather barriers ongoing,. We will be seeing exterior finishes soon. Photos I took today - https://hbt99q.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hbtq9q.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hbtp9q.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hbua9q.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Hilton Hotels Down the road, the dual Hilton Hotel projects are also cranking. Steel and framing is up to the 4th floor now. Workers seem to be taking advantage of the improved weather this weekend. https://hbt69q.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hbt79q.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hbt89q.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hbt19q.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Stryker Nears Top of Best Places to Work Nationally If rankings matter to you, Stryker was recently voted the #8 (out of 100) best places to work for in the entire country - not bad for the home team! That is up 3 spots from last year. It is the only company based in Kalamazoo / West Michigan to make the list, and only three other Michigan-based companies made the list -
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Here is a time-lapse of the Tower 2 construction progress at Firekeepers Casino (near Battle Creek). It's not the greatest angle, but it shows progress through January of this year. More info here. Aerial Views I flew in to Kalamazoo International Airport yesterday for the first time (normally, I fly out Detroit or Grand Rapids, but KZO had remarkably competitive prices for whatever reason this time). It turns out that the flight path yields some great aerial views of the city. You come in low, and circle the entire urban center before landing. The sun was low in the sky (it was late afternoon) and the window was scratched and smudged, but I still took some photos. I'll remember next time to try to schedule a flight for a better time of day, if it works out, so I can get clearer photos. Coming in from the west, you can see I-94 to the far right, Stadium Drive just left of center, and US-131 connecting them (middle of the image, semi-horizontally). Downtown is toward the upper-left. https://hrt79q.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Similar to the other view, still approaching from the west. You get a better look at US-131 and Stadium Drive. You can also make out the Amtrak train tracks, bottom left corner and winding up (east-bound). https://hrt69q.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Here we have circled downtown, and are now looking west, while preparing for a landing approach from the north. Unfortunately the sun was right in my lens so I could not get a great shot. But you can clearly make out the Kalamazoo River and E. Michigan Ave. (and the railway bridge above it). If you squint, you can see the downtown skyline. Pretty neat :tup: https://hrt59q.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Cuius Amicus (man's best friend) And this is my dog, wondering what the heck I'm doing for so long glued to a computer screen. Alas, he's given up on me. But I hope you enjoyed this update as much as I enjoyed compiling it. https://frsxag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://frsqag.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none |
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There really has not been a lot of news on what will happen to the current building yet. There was apparently some deal set up where Plazacorp would take over once the county moved out, but I have heard nothing else on that in over a year, which means that some things are probably happening behind-the-scenes that the public is out of the loop on. Plazacorp has been pretty quite in general lately. A deed restriction on the current courthouse property might require the building to remain at least in-part dedicated to the public realm. No updates publicly on how / if Plazacorp is trying to get around that one. This MLive article (updated over 1 year ago) explains things a little. As far as I know, there has not been much of an update beyond this. Quote:
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I'm disappointed by the lack of ground floor retail, but this is a great development for downtown Battle Creek nonetheless:
$20.6M affordable housing project planned for downtown Battle Creek Quote:
Shrank's Catering buildings, which formerly occupied the site planned for Sophia Square. Source. https://www.emporis.com/images/show/...r-exterior.jpg Hamblin Opera House. Source. |
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https://gqal9w.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: WKZO | Courtesy of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners The project is officially referred to as the Downtown Justice Facility. And it looks amazing. They call this the "Tower Pinkster / HOK" design, although I don't know why this distinction, because I don't think there ever were alternative designs by other firms. Local A&E firm Tower Pinkster and international super-firm HOK have partnered a lot in the past for other other local projects, including Stryker Instruments New Divisional Facility in Portage and the Accident Fund Insurance Company in Lansing. Quote:
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And right on its heels, news yesterday that North Rose Street will be closing for a few months for construction of a new pedestrian bridge, which will connect the new Hilton Garden Inn & Home2 Suites with the existing Arcadia Parking Ramp. I have not seen a rendering for this, apart from what was hinted at in the earlier Hilton Hotel(s) renderings.
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Interesting time to announce this big of a project. We will see where it leads...
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Image Source: Alyssa Keown | The Battle Creek Enquirer |
Right down the street from where we live...
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Update: Photos embedded
The skywalk structure is going up right now for the Hilton Hotels projects. These photos were shared on Instagram yesterday by Byce & Associates. https://hqbsug.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hqbtug.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hqbnug.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hqbuug.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none |
deja vu, do you have any recent update photos on the downtown projects?
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WHAT is that skywalk? That's going to destroy the look of the facade of the Rose street market building. Is it connecting to a parking garage? Why on earth would they allow that? Can people not walk on the sidewalk for 30 seconds?
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