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Yeah, where I live, you get bonus density, height and site plan variances that normally wouldn't be allowed for preserving green and natural space, low-impact (green) development, etc... Not sure if this township has such zoning options, but more likely it's WMU being progressive. Lansing has an eerily very similar concept to WMU's technological park with its University Corporate Research Park which is used for laboratory and office space for MSU.
http://www.msufoundation.org/researchpark/ |
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Docta Love is right that the area to the north will be a buffer zone - and at least some of that land is wetlands. After several public comment sessions last year, the design team, led by Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber / FTC&H and O'Boyle, Cowell, Blalock, & Associates / OCBA (say that ten times fast) identified that environmental sustainability will be a top priority. Both have done work with the University in the past (including BTR Park Phase 1) and both know the ins and outs of local land development procedures. From a separate MLive article (which I paraphrase below), some of the priorities discussed include:
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I've been to the BTR Park site a few times but never really took any photos. Here's a few from OCBA and FTC&H's websites, for the Phase 1 work, which should give a sense of what Phase 2 will look like. I think they were largely successful in preserving a lot of the natural elements and creating outdoor spaces that don't feel too contrived.
Aerial View - College of Engineering and Applied Sciences nearing completion: https://pl9kaw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: FTC&H Pedestrian walkway that goes under Campus Drive: https://pb9kaw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: FTC&H Walking Trail - WMED Building in Background: https://9r9kaw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: FTC&H Central Pond: https://7l9kaw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: OCBA Same pond in winter: https://7b9kaw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: OCBA College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at night: https://979kaw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://979kaw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
Love seeing Pfizer putting masonry on a facility like that. Unless it's in an areas building/zoning code, it's like pulling teeth to get anything other than sheet metal or concrete siding for an industrial buildings, these days. It's particularly nice to see this in a suburb, which aren't usually know for their high design standards.
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PS 383 LLC's redevelopment of 381 and 383 South Pitcher Street is moving along. I mentioned this a long while back in post #17. The company is an affiliate of PlazaCorp; they are spending about $2 million to decontaminate this brownfield site and lease it to several tenants. Here's the first photo I've bothered taking of it, just because the construction lights caught my eye driving home. Portage Creek is 'raging' in the foreground, with all of the rain we've been getting:
https://wesbdq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Also went past the new AMC - I'm glad to see the blue and yellow colored panels are gone, replaced entirely by red. Not sure if they replaced them, or just painted them (more likely). It's a small change that I think makes a big difference. The new signage doesn't look too bad either. Before: https://t4qxda-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none After: https://xusbdq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
With little advance notice, the new AMC Theatre officially opens tonight, 11/2/17, premiering a rather dumb looking movie. The interior photos on MLive look pretty good though:
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That "rather dumb-looking movie" is going to make a sh%t-ton of money. The Marvel franchise of movies is the highest-grossing franchise of all time. This was a really smart idea on AMC's part.
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When I drove past the theatre around 10pm last night it looked almost empty. I don't think it was a very well publicized grand opening, which might have something to do with it. Also, many locals are still so embittered about the loss of Alamo and have claimed that they will forever boycott AMC. I hope it does do well though - a thriving downtown theater is better than a large empty building. I will check it out eventually, just not for Thor. |
The City is working on plans to rezone several areas - 54 acres in total - to promote mixed-use development and greater density. In general, I think this is on the right track, although some rezoning may happen sooner than other rezoning. There is a lot of Nimbyism in the City that could potentially slow the process down, but I think it will happen, eventually. Perhaps most interesting is the plan to rezone the 37-acre Mayors' Riverfront Park, from manufacturing to commercial / mixed-use. That motion actually already passed 6 to 1, according to the below article. This means that commercial / residential development will become possible around Stryker Field, near the river, opening all sorts of possibilities. Flooding in the area is a concern, but that can be mitigated with good design practices. Lansing's "The Outfield" Apartments comes to mind, if only the demand were there...
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Sometimes a roundabout isn't just a roundabout...
The Harrison / Ransom / Gull roundabout officially opened to traffic yesterday, 11/3. It should alleviate congestion at this busy intersection just northeast of downtown, and might play a bigger role in stimulating more development in the area...
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https://wutr9g-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: Al Jones | MLive View northeast, along Gull Road: https://ukvsag-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: Al Jones | MLive A rendering from earlier this year: https://7b9pgg-sn3302.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: MLive | Courtesy City of Kalamazoo / Wightman & Associates, Inc. ...Not super exciting news on its own. What is more interesting to me is the development opportunities that this infrastructure upgrade might help attract. The roundabout makes the district more navigable and accessible for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Given the success of other recent developments in the neighborhood, the City is pushing for proposals from developers to redevelop several more parcels in the River's Edge district, which is roughly bounded by Kalamazoo Ave to the south, Pitcher Street to the west, Frank Street to the north, and the Kalamazoo River to the east. The district is poised to become a hotbed of residential apartments and mixed use development. Quote:
https://wktr9g-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: Al Jones | MLive Significant parcels up for redevelopment today and being promoted by the City include:
I made an overlay showing these parcels, below: https://v0tr9g-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Base Image (Map) Source: Google Maps All of these lots have been included on the list of brownfield sites, meaning that there are financial incentives for redevelopment. A previous proposal for 525 E. Ransom - called Harrison Circle - fell through in 2015. That was to be a $15 million, five-story development, including 40,000 SF of business and 30,000 SF for 100 apartment units. Two primary reasons cited for its demise were the delay in constructing the roundabout and two prospective tenants pulling out. A sketchy rendering of the Harrison Circle development, as originally proposed in 2015: https://wetr9g-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: MLive So now that the roundabout is open, if new tenants can be secured, hopefully something of similar density *(but a better design) will arise at this area soon. A new RFP for this site had a deadline of November 3, the same day that the delayed roundabout officially opened. Nothing has been made public yet on the results of that RFP (from what I could find). |
I drove by the Kalamazoo YMCA on Maple Street at lunch today. Phase 2 of the "Building for Generations Capital Campaign" expansion is complete and looks good. This phase included a 7,300 SF addition with a multi-purpose room, youth facility, elevator, kitchenette, offices, and storage.
Phase 2 - Complete: https://weuh3w-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: My own Phase 3 has broken ground, and involves a 6,000 SF addition for a new ADA warm water pool. It will replace an existing, smaller pool. Construction is expected to wrap up in Spring 2018. Phase 3 - Rendering: https://v0uh3w-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: Tower Pinkster Phase 3 - demolition is complete and ground has been broken: https://xuuh3w-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: My own This is all part of the area Y's "Building for Generations Capital Campaign". Phase 1 involved updated, gender-neutral locker rooms at the Portage location, and opened in March 2016. AVB is the Construction Manager and Tower Pinkster is the Architect for the work. Site Plan Showing Phase 2 and 3 Expansions: https://wkuh3w-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: MLive | Courtesy Tower Pinkster |
Pfizer is planning to hire at least 400 new employees at its Portage manufacturing complex (200 replacement plus 200 new positions). I knew this place was huge, but I didn't know that it employed around 3,500, when you count independent contractors and other support personnel. I also didn't know that it is considered THE largest of its 63 production facilities worldwide. The majority of the Portage facility work is dedicated to the production of sterile injectable medicines, often used in life-saving scenarios. Pfizer is currently partway through the second phase of a $150 million investment in the facility, which is intended to increase production capacity. $1 billion in capital has been invested at this site in the past ten years.
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In rapidly sub-urbanizing Oshtemo Township, plans are underway to redevelop a 5-parcel brownfield site. An application was recently submitted to the Kalamazoo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to obtain tax incentives for Stadium Park Way, a industrial drive located off of Stadium Drive, between 6th and 8th street. The plan must still go before the Township and the County Board of Commissioners for approval.
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Site Redevelopment Plan: https://uutypq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Source: MLive | Kalamazoo County |
I was hoping to take some photos around town today, but ongoing rain has hampered that plan. So instead, here's some recent news on several small neighborhood developments happening around the area:
1. New Mini-Neighborhood, Eastside In Kalamazoo's Eastside neighborhood, the County Land Bank is working with the local neighborhood association and potential investors to fund a new mini-neighborhood of 8 small, mixed-income homes on the site of recently cleared land that housed several blighted homes. The Land Bank hopes to raise $2.5 million and begin construction in 2018. The homes are planned to be 600-1,000 SF, with 1-2 bedrooms each. The proposed site is at Foresman and East Michigan Ave. There is currently a community garden adjacent to the planned development which would be integrated into the overall plans. The first tiny house in the city was completed earlier this year on Charles Avenue, several blocks away. Quote:
Read and Write Kalamazoo (RAWK) is approaching the opening of its new home at the corner of South Westnedge and Vine Street (802 S. Westnedge), previously home of Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services. RAWK is a local nonprofit that promotes reading and writing for area youth. It will move from its current Northside 'Reality Factory' location (213 E. Frank Street) to the Vine Neighborhood in an effort to increase its accessibility and community impact. One of 40 $25,000 grants from State Farm Insurance Co. was awarded to RAWK out of 2,000 national applications for the Neighborhood Assist program. Quote:
3. Bates Alley Improvements, Downtown / Haymarket District The City of Kalamazoo, with the help of Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. is trying to crowdfund $50,000 on patronicity to support planned pedestrian improvements to Bates Alley. This is part of a larger trend in the city to make its small network of downtown alleyways more approachable for non-vehicular users. If $50K can be raised by November 29, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will chip in an additional $50K to support the work, which will include:
https://weu9ya-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Bates Alley and Portage Rd - Proposed Rendering: https://v0u9ya-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Images Source: Patronicity The 'proposed' rendering feels a bit convoluted, but I'm sure the end result won't appear so haphazard. It also seems like the City is not waiting for the crowdfunding deadline (or next Spring) to begin some of the work. Two weeks ago some of the asphalt parking lot was torn up and new plants and outdoor power outlets quickly appeared. A new tree was also planted at the corner of Bates Alley and Edwards Street (the other entrance / node of the alley). Bates Alley and S Edwards St - Before: https://xku9ya-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: Google Maps Bates Alley and S Edwards St - as photographed on November 8, 2017: https://xuu9ya-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: My own I don't think this crowdfunding campaign has been very well publicized yet, but I hope that the goal is reached. It would be an improvement for the restaurant businesses along this stretch, because nobody wants to sit out on the sidewalk that fronts Michigan Avenue and breathe in all the diesel fumes while they sip their cocktails. |
Video footage from a drone flyover update for construction progress at Portage Public School's North and Central Campuses was issued by PPS. Click this link to get to the video. Included in the video is footage of Huskie Field and the new 3 story middle school at the north campus, as well as central's new natatorium. Much better views than I could ever get.
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The Peoples Food Co-op has started a small addition to add dining space for about 30 at the front of the store. It's a small affair - just the stretch of windows on the left side of the below rendering, but it does reflect the success of the PFC and yet another investment in the River's Edge district.
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https://ukve3a-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Images Source: MLive |
I did some driving and walking around the west side of town on Wednesday and took some random photos of projects that I haven't really paid too close attention to...
1. Parkway Flats The first few units are going up for a new 241-unit luxury apartment development along the Aboretum Parkway, in the Arcadia neighborhood. This has been a controversial development that required rezoning of development land that was itself once part of a long, contentious debate. It's all approved and humming along now though - I had to dig around to actually come up with the name - they're calling this Parkway Flats, per the developer's website (Kendall Property Group). https://hrsgha-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://gxsgha-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://ibsgha-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Here's a rezoning plan, showing the site, west of Linden Grove Middle School and east of S Drake Rd: https://ghsgha-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Source: MLive (Courtesy Kalamazoo Planning Commission) And from the developer, a site layout plan: https://fbu7pa-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: Kendall Property Group 2. Walnut Woods Office Centre Addition A 2-story addition at 5955 Walnut Woods Office Centre, near the interesction of West Main and US-131, is nearing completion. Didn't even realize that it was happening until it is amost done: https://fru7pa-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://hbsgha-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 3. Latitude 42-Oshtemo Township Location A popular Portage-based brewpub - Latitude 42 - is building a second location, in Oshtemo Township. This is just a stone's throw down the road (West Main) from the previous project: https://irsgha-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 4. The Gateway AVB's massive development project near West Main and US-131, known as The Gateway, is moving along. I didn't get too close with construction work happening. The first building on the site is one of the three hotels (some version of a Holiday Inn I think), and the first two floors are framed up. I will try to get better photos at some point. https://hxu7pa-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://hhu7pa-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 5. Stryker HQ No photos today for this one, but also worth mentioning that steel is going up fast at the Stryker site in Portage. It looks like a lot of the structural frame is already in place. I spotted it as I was driving and was surprised to see how quickly it has grown. I will try to take some new photos at some point. |
What's the drama behind Parkway? Knowing Michigan, I wouldn't be surprised if you tell me that neighbors were made that it's too many houses per acre or something. lol
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