[deja vu]

I thought it would be interesting / fun to make some development predictions for 2019 in Kalamazoo and its surroundings (all the big cities are doing it, and the little kids want to play along). In no particular order:

• We will finally see a proposal for the new courthouse at Arcadia West, but we will not see anything else substantial / concrete proposed for this area. And the arena proposal will not gather any steam.
• The proposed affordable housing at the current Rugger's Up and Under Bar will fall through. No indication of this, just a gut feeling.
• The proposed affordable housing at Harrison Circle will break ground.
• The proposed Home2 Suites and Rose St Market project will not break ground, but will not necessarily be dead, either.
• AVB's The Corner at Drake development will achieve full build-out, and near-100% occupancy.
• Mayor Hopewell will end his 12-year term and will not serve in any other public office, but will remain active as an advocate for equality and development within the city's many neighborhoods (OK, we already know he will not run for re-election).
• The city proper population will breach 76,000 (that's easy, it's been trending up the past few years).
• Neighboring Portage will exceed 50,000.
• At least 2 new, substantial (by Kzoo standards, 6+ stories) mixed use projects will be announced for downtown, if the economy does not go into recession.
• Bus system improvements, including new stations, will begin to pop up.
• The Foundry Phase II will break ground.
• The Vicksburg Mill development will not have any substantial construction begin in 2019.
• WMU will make a lot of progress on its south neighborhood. Several buildings will be partially finished.
• Arcadia Ales will find a new owner or shut down.
• The trains will continue to snag traffic on Michigan Ave. and the east side of downtown.
• We will find out what the heck Bronson is actually doing for its Research Labs project on the Mall (probably only once it is finished)