Kalamazoo -
1. Eastside Zoning Changes
A public hearing is scheduled for tonight at the regular City Commission meeting for the proposed zoning changes in the Eastside Neighborhood. If you'll recall, the changes are centered mostly around the goals of increasing housing options, supporting a greater variety of businesses, and promoting walkable development, through the implementation of new Live-Work zones -
Source:
City of Kalamazoo
2. Inventory Kalamazoo 2022
The city's Historic Preservation Commission plans to re-launch its city-wide resources survey this spring, after COVID-19 stymied efforts to begin last spring. The goal is to conduct a reconnaissance level historic resource survey of
every single property and parament structure within the city limits, estimated at around 24,000 resources. This will be no small feat, and they are relying on the help of numerous volunteers. It has been two decades since the last survey, and that one only evaluated about half of the buildings.
Inventory Kalamazoo 2022
3. Farmers Market Improvements
The city is seeking public comments for its planned improvements to the existing
farmers market on Bank St. The aging structures have become quite popular with vendors, and they need more space. The Parks & Recreation Department, which oversees the farmers market, plans to apply for multiple grants soon, and there will be an Advisory Committee Board meting on Tuesday, March 2, at 5:30pm that the public is invited to attend. Improvements under consideration include a new restroom / storage / office building, new / updated covered vendor booths, new parking, and a fruit and vegetable-themed playscape.
4. Southwest Michigan First New CEO Named
Lee Chatfield, former Republican Speaker of the House for Michigan, has just been named as the successor to Ron Kitchens for Southwest Michigan First. I have mixed feelings about this. Lots of people have strong feelings about Lee from his time in politics (which, like most things in politics right now, felt quite polarizing). I think he might meet with a lot of resistance in Kalamazoo, which is quite liberal, compared to where Lee is from (Northern Michigan - Levering - Emmett County) and compared to much f the rest of southwest Michigan too. Lee admits himself that he has little professional experience in economic development. He's already stated that one of his first priorities will be carrying on the push for the new event center in downtown Kalamazoo.
Quote:
Former GOP House Speaker Lee Chatfield named new CEO of Southwest Michigan First
Kate Carlson | MiBiz
February 11, 2021
KALAMAZOO — Former Republican Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield has been named CEO of Southwest Michigan First, the economic development agency announced Thursday. Chatfield is replacing Ron Kitchens, who resigned from the CEO role on Jan. 15 after 15 years to accept a similar position in Alabama. Managing Partner Carla Sones served as the interim CEO of the organization while the organization conducted a national search to replace Kitchens...
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