[BrewInKzoo]

Some updates from the brownfield meeting minutes from September, published at the 10/17 meeting, regarding 116 W. Cedar:

Mr. Curt Aardema, AVB, said they have been working on this for a year and a half or more to find a development
formula that works on this site. He said they are working on a smaller version and maybe breaking the former
version into phases as well. The project they’re focusing on is a four-story residential-oriented building tying into
some of the momentum they have seen with the 400 Rose project. They have had great response from the
community on the 400 Rose project and heard that residents love being in that area. They’re hoping to carry that
momentum to the Cedar Street area and hopefully tie it into the Bronson Hospital campus and start to move toward
Burdick Street and the Kalamazoo mall as well. The goal is roughly 70 units. The focus has been on smaller-type units that they are hearing is desired for in the market. They have had meetings with different groups downtown and
are hearing everything is at pretty full occupancy downtown. They are trying to get a new market by tapping into the
missing middle housing that is really difficult to build. There’s a lot of programs for the subsidized housing, and a
natural market for the higher end. They are looking at surface parking right now to keep the building efficient from a
cost standpoint. They have brought architects on board and are re-engaged with designing a project on this site.
Director Hess asked if there will be commercial on the bottom level.
Mr. Aardema said no commercial right now. They are looking at this project as a way to support existing businesses
that exists downtown. They see this site as transition from downtown core to the Vine neighborhood. Everything to
the south is residential, so they see this as urban-scale, urban-footprint, urban-design, but not necessarily having its
own commercial uses on the ground floor. Potentially a commercial component would be included in a future phase
if there was a market demand. He shared they are studying that closely.
Ms. McCarthy reminded the board the City submitted a grant ask to EGLE for demolition dollars at this site. EGLE
has given an update that they are pushing back their announcement date to October.