The long-vacant Lee Paper Mill in Vicksburg is finally being repurposed, as a mixed-use 'life style destination' according to the new owner, Paper City Development, LLC. (Vicksburg is a small (but growing) village located about 15 miles south of Downtown Kalamazoo)
Paper making, once Kalamazoo's largest industry, went the same way as a lot of domestic industry in the 1970s & 80s (downhill). Of the many former paper mills in the area, some have been demolished, some have been repurposed, and some are awaiting redevelopment. It's a relief to see a solid plan for this one, although I'm not sure that it will be able to support some of the planned uses...
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This mixed-use development, upon completion, could have spaces available for retail, interpretive museums, restaurants, higher education research, craft breweries, large indoor and outdoor event venues, artisan makers, and residential lofts apartments with a unique hotel and hospitality experience. Source
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Here is a simple master plan for the site, from the
Byce & Associates website, along with 'then & now photos':
