Thanks D-Man! I don't post updates as frequently these days, but that doesn't mean there isn't a ton happening. I appreciate you and a few others keeping up with it! As far as your question, there's the planned conversion of the old courthouse into a new "Boutique" hotel, but I expect we will see lots of other new proposals too in the coming years, as the event center wraps up and opens.
Here's a recent aerial photo of the 4-block area; posted online by the event center. Click
here to view the full-res version. You can see some of the vacant lots surrounding this complex, which I expect will fill-in eventually. Westnedge Ave. is reopened (2 lanes) - seen running from top left to bottom center of image. The below-grade utility work is finally done. There is a live construction camera,
here -
From the event center website -
Quote:
Construction Progress at the Kalamazoo Event Center
Construction at the Kalamazoo Event Center continues to move forward at an incredible pace, with new milestones taking shape both inside and outside the building. What was once a job site is quickly becoming a facility that will host game days, concerts, and community events.
Parking Structure Taking Shape
The future parking deck is now more than halfway assembled, with 800 of the 1,516 precast pieces set into place. With each new section installed, the structure becomes more visible and brings us one step closer to welcoming guests to the site.
Team Spaces Coming to Life
Key spaces for future athletes and staff are now taking physical shape. The concrete floor for the Kalamazoo Wings offices has been poured, marking a major milestone for hockey at the event center, while the concrete deck for the WMU basketball operations area is now in place. These foundational elements will soon be transformed into the locker rooms, offices, and support spaces that power game day.
Practice Ice Structure Begins
Steel is now rising for the practice ice area, an exciting visual moment that signals vertical progress and gives a first look at the scale of the facility.
Interior Work Moving Forward
To keep progress on track through varying temperatures, temporary walls were installed throughout the building. These enclosures allow crews to control the environment inside and begin year-round interior construction, meaning permanent rooms and fan spaces will start taking shape much sooner.
Powered by People
The momentum on site continues to grow. Skilled tradespeople have increased to nearly 190 working each day, coordinating across multiple areas of the project and driving visible progress at a rapid pace.
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By the way, I was driving downtown yesterday and noticed that construction fencing is up around the Arcadia Creek Festival Site. So maybe site clearing will start there soon -
Source:
Michael Abels | WWMT