Haymarket Plaza officially opened on Thursday. Check out the projected display preview, below -

• Video Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/on7aiyju7o...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0cer09i8he...%202.jpg?raw=1
Source: WWMT | Jason Heeres

Here's some more coverage (+ renderings) of the plan to restore the Kalamazoo River in downtown Battle Creek -

Renderings -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fgc4bfak1b...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/018tc6m1mt...%202.jpg?raw=1

Some of the existing conditions -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ic5mmiyjlp...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r5708342ch...%204.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v7xq94j72s...%205.jpg?raw=1

The area that would be affected -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/07jgrxztcc...%206.jpg?raw=1
Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy Battle Creek Whitewater

Kalamazoo -

Here are a smattering of updates to report:

1. First, some restaurant news - this new brewery will open in the ground level of Harrison Circle Apartments, with a soft opening scheduled for late November (on that note, the apartment building itself appears finished) -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pguwve9cnc...utre.jpg?raw=1
Source: Joel Bissell | MLive

This Caribbean-themed cocktail lounge + restaurant is set to open in the ground level of The Exchange in early 2022. It is being developed by the creator of HopCat -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/c6q2z82gxj...ils.jpeg?raw=1
Source: MLive | provided by Alex Paolella / JungleBird

2. Eastside Sunrise Plaza is complete, marking the first part of a multi-phase effort to revitalize the core of this neighborhood -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ny3e39j5ap...aza.jpeg?raw=1
Source: Al Jones | Second Wave Media

3. The northern terminus of the US-131 business loop could finally get its missing on & off ramps to make it a true, bi-directional interchange with US-131. It's about time that this gets done!

4. Site plans have been submitted for the Children's Nature Playscape, which will be built on the site of the demolished church at 302 Academy, across from Bronson Park. Apart from the obvious natural play elements, it will have a fenced enclosure, lighting, drinking fountains, and rough-ins for a future Portland Loo in the NE corner -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7d5qub2p3o...0CNP.png?raw=1
Source: City of Kalamazoo

5. Plans have also been submitted for 215 E Michigan Ave. - a proposed mixed-use redevelopment in a long-vacant former bank branch in the Haymarket area of downtown. The 2 story building will have ~2,300 SF of tenant space and an accessible studio apartment on the first floor, and six 1 / 2-bedroom apartments on the second floor. It is impressive that they can fit six residential units on the second floor. Some of the bedrooms seem abysmally small, and the ones in Units E & F are all interior, presumably with no natural light (maybe add some skylights)? It looks like no new work in the basement, which is probably reserved for utilities & storage (although it looks look at one point it was laid out for commercial tenancy).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fqvcirynkl...ment.JPG?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/t4z6swmsye...loor.JPG?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/o6jvxj16lf...loor.JPG?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nq2g4ev7hm...ions.JPG?raw=1
Source: City of Kalamazoo

Portage -

Charles & Lynn Zhang Senior Center - September 2021 progress -

• Video Link

Battle Creek -

~~~

The recently-completed expansions to the WACO Aircraft Corp vintage aircraft production facility and operations center at the Battle Creek Executive Airport in Battle Creek, Michigan loo great. Workork included new service hangars, fabrication space, engine assembly space, offices, and a restaurant -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mz23tjo77m...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1gdb2cqu42...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oj2ycrdve5...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ojo5ic77po...%204.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xrne3m2b5f...%205.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pwzzabcr3a...%206.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/10a9eueb1l...%207.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | Walbridge / Jason Keen

The replacement Kalamazoo Latvian Church is complete and was dedicated on September 5. I know this is not a big project, but it is significant to the local Latvian community and Westwood neighborhood. The previous church burned down on July 8, 2019, after 50 years of service -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oj3cky8oon...urch.jpg?raw=1
Source: Facebook

https://www.dropbox.com/s/781xi24ebp...urch.jpg?raw=1
Source: Facebook

Here are some completed photos of (and an article about) Harrison Circle Apartments. I honestly don't hate the exterior, but the interior looks pretty meh -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/e2x82mq7mh...%201.PNG?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/q0dbkw9q2m...%202.PNG?raw=1
Source: Apartments.com

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1psw7n3usv...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0su1tlmjhe...%204.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/c4s3bc783z...%205.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/z2o83rsb36...%206.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/iwq0t7btrw...%207.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ukx4b4osps...%208.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/otdfqj1zo0...%209.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bj4pywh2u5...2010.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/51cpmfz2t9...2011.jpg?raw=1
Source: Second Wave Media | Fran Dwight


In other news -


Rendering reminder (posted previously, In October 2020) -

https://sn3301files.storage.live.com...&cropmode=none
Source: City of Kalamazoo

Also happening -

Traffic Calming measures are beginning on Westnedge & Park this fall, into 2022. Time will tell just how effective they are.

Quite a few Kalamazoo upates to share!

1. Another homeless camp was recently cleared in Kalamazoo (location). And it wasn't pretty. I thought these two articles both offered good coverage of the ongoing chaos and complex causes behind our disproportionate local homelessness problems -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ljigb90cka...lter.jpg?raw=1
Source: Al Jones | Second Wave Media

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sdt72z7dsd...lter.png?raw=1
Source: Matt Miller | WWMT

Meanwhile, construction continues on the Gospel Ministries' new shelter downtown, which is expected to wrap up late this year -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yw78fz030f...lter.jpg?raw=1
Source: Al Jones | Second Wave Media

2. I saw that the tower base was installed 2 weeks back, but I missed the big show! Anyway, the tower crane is up for the downtown justice facility site -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/c74upuvzjc...rane.jpg?raw=1
Source: CSM Group

3. The dedication event for Kalamazoo College's new $18 million natatorium is scheduled for October 15. Construction was a slow grind on this one and it's nice to see it finally completed -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/92z3rlmjmp...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u7ov64aq5i...%202.jpg?raw=1
Source: Kalamazoo College

4. Here are some interior renderings, compared with current progress, for WMU's new student center & dining facility -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yy13r7r08v...201A.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r9xhoczvqs...201B.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xhikrxdzai...202A.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gpkdj3lxj9...202B.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | WMU

5. Harrison Circle Time Lapse -

• Video Link

6. Revel Creek progress, from June through September 2021 -

(June)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jx56x8fzs6...reek.jpg?raw=1

(September)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2s7dzwozeq...reek.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | Miller-Davis Company

This should be something to keep an eye on. Kalamazoo County has been behind the pack when it comes to offering local career tech training. In 2019, voters approved a millage to fund the KRESA center. A $100 million anonymous donation on top of that will be used to help design & construct it. $100 million should yield a pretty sizeable facility - construction is scheduled to start early 2022, on a site near I-94 & Sprinkle Rd (maybe here?)

Here's an article and photos about a lot of the changes happening along Portage Street, and concentrated in the Edison Neighborhood around Washington Square -

Portage Street reconstruction -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8u5hbazmb3...tion.jpg?raw=1

KPEP W/P Diner -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6tas4xr4c3...ner.jpeg?raw=1

Bob's Barber building renovation -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a4lzyl9kbn...rber.jpg?raw=1

Kalamazoo Farmers Market Expansion -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/httq1hrghn...ket.jpeg?raw=1
Source: Al Jones | Second Wave Media

Related, the Boys & Girls Club recently announced that it has raised $5.4 million of its intended $9 million to help fund their new 30,000 SF, 2-story facility on Portage Street, near Vine Street. Schematic renderings are now available -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dxuwo00xln...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ckut8ebh3k...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ce4faonvj8...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0ewne27el4...%204.PNG?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yx643573sv...%205.PNG?raw=1
Source: MLive | TowerPinkster - provided by BGCGK

400 Rose Phase 2 progress -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yta8kcufna...02-1.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k8obt5dd97...02-2.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ybfpntgtww...02-3.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ils4vg3ak6...02-4.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | AVB

Kalamazoo & HRI have announced a partnership to provide 50 "ModPods" - housing units to help with the local homeless problem. Each unit will have power, AC, heating, and beds. The article doesn't mention if bathrooms are included in the units, but I have to imagine that they are (based on the floor plans on the company's website). The location where the units will be placed has not been disclosed, and the price tag is ~ $1,000,000, or $20K / trailer -

Battle Creek -

Industrial update: the Magna Cosma Casting plant expansion (at 10 Clark Rd N) is complete. Nice to see this kind of tech developing in the area. Architecture by C2AE. Photos below -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hu611pjr0p...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/l3dfk5ikjj...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/g1xrhsv1fs...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ril5arbi09...%204.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hi1lgjcks3...%205.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | 360 Photo & Design

Update on the planned development at 619 Porter St. It's been previously announced, but there's a new / slightly different rendering, and from this angle, it's impossible to say if they are keeping the portion of the historic building that is currently in pretty rough shape. Either way, it seems like this will definitely move forward now. The aesthetics are in keeping with the rather odd red / white / gray color palette of other recent developments in this area.

Core stats:

• Northside / Rivers Edge neighborhoods
• 5 Stories
• 52 units of rental housing, (some affordable)
• $13.2 million
• BRA project, supported by a $2.2 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program (MCRP) loan participation
• Will create 30 full-time equivalent jobs

Here's the newer rendering -


Source: WKZO | Courtesy Office of Governor Whitmer

Here's the earlier rendering (from the other side) -


Source: WWMT | Courtesy PlazaCorp LLC

Once all phases of cleanup are done, redevelopment of a portion of the site can proceed -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n6nqcawgvb...%201.PNG?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6dqwaqqf4j...%202.PNG?raw=1
Source: MLive | provided by EPA

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cbpwu4gg52...%203.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive | Joel Bissell

I took a few photos of the downtown justice facility site on Saturday afternoon. The formwork is being set for the first floor pour above grade -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/17axauxwpn...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oik9u44dys...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uwoca5r48c...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9rho3tside...%204.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/de2sokqanx...%205.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/aswpy57jrk...%206.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/w44verf069...%207.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ntaw3h9yuu...%208.jpg?raw=1

Good progress!

I think it's currently the tallest thing under construction now, in the city.

Here's another article on the 619 Porter St. Development, with a rendering at an angle that shows that they are still planning to save some of the existing structure that is currently falling apart -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mxdm2e99z2...%202.jpg?raw=1
Source: MiBiz | Courtesy Rendering

Kalamazoo -

400 Rose Phase 2, taken Thursday, 11/4 -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gx8zyk8x3m...02-1.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4jl8rv07ml...02-2.jpg?raw=1

A recent Time article about the city and its unique funding structures (that I'm not sure I 100% agree with, though it raises some interesting questions) -

Battle Creek -

Last week, voters approved a ~ $45 million / 26-year public school bond that will fund a new performing arts academy, along with other work. It is the first bond that has been passed for the public school system since 2007 -

Kalamazoo -

WMU Student Center & Dining Facility progress comparisons -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0jwo7jigtq...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4xbz4shgiw...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5hhfbmqw62...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/miq6jqqbfw...%204.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | WMU

Downtown Justice Facility progress -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v5a3x8j2av...lity.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | CSM

Some Kalamazoo updates. First, a different angle of the Downtown Justice Facility -


https://www.dropbox.com/s/hxsdzurba4...lity.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | CSM Group

400 Rose Phase 2, bird's-eye views -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/63k8hv24ro...02-1.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/z00ilt38le...02-2.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8oy0s15lsw...02-3.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dgw1xevvv4...02-4.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | AVB

Heritage Community's Revel Creek senior independent living apartments, opening spring 2022 -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/m20kvv3ocl...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7tk7vysqx1...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1sryrcs019...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fukd13tj3d...%204.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kvx61b6ow1...%205.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | Miller-Davis Company

The new, incredibly-bland, Fraternity Village Apartments (close to WMU) -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/atxivcqhvc...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qdki7obbrn...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/97qtc8puj4...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5fa2yta97r...%204.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | AVB

Portage -

Portage Community Senior Center progress -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6mv070vs6j...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/70m8vg9h8t...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8wk4svtcpz...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/imha0s5c3w...%204.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cnszr6n9el...%205.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/skw1j4f7k7...%206.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | Byce & Associates, Inc.