Here's some other Kalamazoo "rapid-fire" updates that have been piling up -
1. There is a public input meeting scheduled for Monday, 5/24 to brainstorm ideas for the new natural playscape that will be built upon the site of the demolished First Reformed Church (
302 Academy St. - next to Bronson Park).
2. Meanwhile, KNAC (Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition) has officially purchased First Baptist Church, which is directly north of the aforementioned project. This is the oldest church left on the square, and it has been around long enough to witness Abraham Lincoln visiting the city. KNAC will maintain and manage the property now, and it will lease space to the dwindling First Baptist congregation as well as other non-profits, start-ups, and arts organizations. There are plans to remodel portions of the complex to provide collaborative work space that can be shared by tenants -
Source:
WMUK | KNAC
3. The city is doubling down on their Bates Alley transformation. The Kalamazoo River-inspired street mural just got a fresh coat of paint, and a "semi-permanent pavilion" has been installed for music, poetry, and other live events -
Source:
Al Jones | Second Wave Southwest Michigan
4. Allied Paper Landfill cleanup will start soon. The former landfill, part of an EPA Superfund site, will take about four years to properly clean. Once that work is finished, it opens the door for potential development of the site -
Here's a conceptual site plan from years ago -
Source:
Waste 360
5. The city continues to expand its network of heated sidewalks systems (for snow melting). This most-recent one is being done through a unique public-private partnership, along S Rose St., in front of the Comerica Bank building.
Source:
LinkedIn | Construction Simplified
6. Construction is underway for a new splash pad installation at LaCrone Park (
535 W. Paterson St).
Source:
LinkedIn | City of Kalamazoo
7. WMU Student Center progress -
Source:
WMU
8. Bonus photo of Catalyst 12, nearing the finish line -
Source:
LinkedIn | CSM Group