Kalamazoo -

Here's a smattering of recent construction progress photos of KRESA's 160,000-SF Career Connect Center, taken over the past month or so, from various sources. The complex features a dynamic central hub and some mass timber construction - it is expected to open soon -








Source: LinkedIn | Blake Nichols


Source: LinkedIn | Lee Scott






















Source: LinkedIn | George Kacan

Kalamazoo -

"Rose Place" (530 S Rose) wrapped up last month and is now occupied. 82,300 SF / 5 stories / 64 units of senior living apartments, with off-street parking and a central "courtyard" -which I find a bit awkward, but surely functional for additional light and fresh air. The complex appears fairly out of context with its surroundings - mostly detached single-family homes of early 1900's vintage. But I think (hope) as some of the surrounding lots fill in, it will become better-looking infill -
























Source: avbinc.com

Kalamazoo -

I took a look around town yesterday at some things.

Lofts at Ironworks -













Event Center -









Radisson renovations -







River's Edge -







This portion of the Ecumenical Senior Center has some interesting local history, but it will be demolished (for a new building) -




Source: MLive | Courtesy ESC

I noticed this sign is up at the former Food Dance property -



Boys & Girls Club - not much to look at yet, but it is definitely u/c and foundations are in -



Same goes for for Ph. 2 of the farmer's market (year-round indoor market & event space) -

Battle Creek -


Source: Second Wave Media

Kalamazoo hotels approve funding assessment for $40M sports facility
https://www.mlive.com/resizer/v2/C75...280&quality=90
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...-facility.html

Developer plans 5-story apartment complex near Kalamazoo’s Bronson hospital
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...-hospital.html

^^ Ah, you beat me to it! I am all for this. That is such an underutilized corner, and Jamauri will actually get it done, unlike some developers that just sit on their parcels forever.

New ‘village’ will transform 48 woodland acres into neighborhood with 444 housing units

https://www.mlive.com/resizer/v2/2UB...280&quality=90

https://www.mlive.com/resizer/v2/2OO...280&quality=90
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...ing-units.html

Does anyone have update on the status of the proposed Hard Rock Hotel in the old Gibson factory?

No, I have not seen or heard anything. It has gone suspiciously quiet.

Kalamazoo redevelopment project seeks to transform old county courthouse into hotel
https://wwmt.com/newsletter-daily/re...ommission-wwmt

Construction starts on 2 new dorms in Kalamazoo
https://www.mlive.com/resizer/v2/Q5Q...280&quality=90
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...kalamazoo.html

New Arcadia Creek plans include amphitheater, playground, multi-use building
https://www.mlive.com/resizer/v2/MIB...280&quality=90
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...-building.html

Former bingo hall site could be transformed into new Kalamazoo housing development

https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...velopment.html

I hadn't heard of the Larry J Bell museum. Here's what I found:
"house his collection of Michigan history books, jazz artifacts and historic brewery industry memorabilia."
Probably mostly a tax write-off for his foundation, but it could be a pretty neat little museum. Hopefully free to the public.

It's been a while since I read anything about it. I thought it would not be open to the general public (by appointment only). I really hope this isn't the case though, because that area of downtown could use some new energy / a new public point of interest to help activate it.

Allow me to dust my keyboard off for a photo update of some of the projects around town.

1. Event Center - cores are rising, and as of last week, steel is being slung -











2. Nearby, the Lofts at Ironworks -





3. Foundations are underway at the new dorm at K-College. I have never seen a construction site with so much clay - the entire site is a mud pit. Granted, it rained hard last night, but I've never seen this site without standing water -







4. East of downtown, River's Edge has really changed the feel along this stretch of Gull Rd. -











5. Edison Neighborhood - Farmers Market Ph. 2 (year-round indoor event space) -





6. Also in Edison - the downsized Boys & Girls Club -







7. Nearby, a newly-painted street mural at Washington Square (Portage St. / Washington Ave. intersection) -



I forgot to swing by WMU to see the progress on their new dorm. I've heard it is pretty far along already. I will hit that site and some others, later.

Not my own photos, but here are a few recent images of WMU's new "Golden Oaks" residence hall - a hybrid mass timber structure.

From WMU's website:














Source: LinkedIn | Hanbury

20 years on from the start of Kalamazoo promise the city has become one of the nicest in the state and a model for other communities. It’s not possible to speak about the city’s success without giving a nod to the economic engine behind its growth WMU. Investment in education along with innovative city planning, the daylighting of Arcadia Creek creating a warm vibrant focal point for downtown has been lauded as it should be.

Thanks for keeping up with K-Zoo development for those of us who aren’t within easy reach of the city. Google Earth isn’t a substitute for an engaged member of the community putting boots to the ground with a camera in hand. I really dig the new Arcadia Creek plans the new amphitheater along with pedestrian improvements better melding the park into downtown creates a cool campus like vibe for the central district.

I've been jokingly telling people lately that Kalamazoo's new motto should be "The City That Tries". There are many opinions about what planners and developers are doing, but nobody can deny that things are happening. Everything is incredibly nuanced; the downtown mall can feel desolate at times, bustling at others. The endless roadwork and experimentation with bike lanes will drive some people nuts, but already, there are signs that these changes are making the pedestrian experience more enjoyable. The construction of new housing has increased from a trickle to a steady stream; new artwork is popping up all over. The new form-based codes are a vast step forward. The local universities are building, and plenty of jobs seem to be available; including manufacturing. But homelessness is also way up, and people question why there is a $600M arena being built when we can't solve the challenge of families living in the local parks. We still have disproportionate crime and poverty numbers.

Ten years living here now; and the city continues to feel simultaneously very big and very small to me. But it remains home, because it is a city not afraid to innovate in the face of challenges.


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