KALAMAZOO / PORTAGE / BATTLE CREEK | Development Thread

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by jkazoo

Sadly, the cool new WMU Student Center will not be opening with a brewpub, or serving beer. There is no operator identified or contracted for that space. It's empty. BYOB.

KVCC has a reputable brewing program; WMU should just partner up with them

On with some more updates -

First, a few exterior views of the finished WMU Student Center. This first one looks like a rendering to me, but it's real -


Source: LinkedIn | WMU


Source: WMU News

Sticking with WMU, the women's basketball locker room is getting a redo -




Source: LinkedIn | AVB

The WMU Stadium Club renovation is also wrapping up, just in time for the start of the football season -






Source: LinkedIn | AVB

Sticking with the athletic theme, construction has started on the new Kalamazoo Country Club. This massive, $100+ million upgrade will include a partially-underground parking garage, indoor & outdoor dining and event spaces, a golf performance center, pro shop, fitness & wellness space, and racquet facilities. As if that wasn't enough, there will also be an aquatics complex, bowling alley, and movie theater. I sometimes hear people claiming that Kalamazoo is becoming a place just for the rich, which is categorically false. But in this one particular instance, they are spot-on, and I do feel a little sympathy for the neighbors that lost their trees and views of nature for this playground for the wealthy.






Source: LinkedIn | The H. Chambers Company

Contractors have finished a multi-million dollar renovation of the Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites that started in 2020. All 340 of the rooms, plus 50,000 SF of event space, have gotten a refresh. I have a feeling this remodel was prompted by the recent influx of new, competing hotel brands around town. I've walked through it and it is much, much better than how it used to look -

Radisson Hotel in Kalamazoo finishes renovations
Madalyn Buursma | Wood TV 8
July 10, 2023

Source: Wood TV 8

Exchange Place Alley has gotten some new lighting, as part of the city's ongoing efforts to strengthen placemaking and connectivity downtown -




Source: Facebook | City of Kalamazoo

The new Bronson Orthopedic Surgery Center, located on Beatrice Drive in Texas Township, had a ribbon cutting on July 28. This is the latest part of a 52-acre site that Bronson continues to develop into a satellite "Health Village". It contains four operating suites, programmed for sports medicine, joint replacement surgery, hand surgery, fracture repair, foot and ankle surgery, general orthopedic surgery, and the like -


Source: Bronson Health

The Bluffs at Gull Lake is a 48-unit apartment development nearing completion in Gull Lake (Ross Township). There are four buildings, located on the bluff overlooking the lake at 12135 M-89. No photos, but here are some renderings -






Source: The Bluffs at Gull Lake

[DetroitMan]

$30M gift will allow Kalamazoo College to build new dorm

A $30 million anonymous gift to Kalamazoo College will support the construction of a new dorm on campus.

The gift is the largest in the college’s 190-year history, according to a Kalamazoo College press release.

With the gift, Kalamazoo College will be able to “reenvision” the residential experience and support new programs for student success, the release said. Those programs will have a focus on first-generation college students. Kalamazoo College students and community members had the chance to share critiques of the college’s six residence halls after the announcement on Monday, Oct. 9. Too much traffic noise, limited parking, a lack of kitchen space and trouble with window locks were among issues raised.

Freshmen and sophomores are required to live in residence halls and have a dining plan with the college, according to the Kalamazoo College website. The planning process is still in the early stages of development, a Kalamazoo College spokesperson said.

Kalamazoo College President Jorge G. Gonzalez said the gift will be “transformative.”

“This gift will put us on the path toward creating the campus experience of the future and help us ensure every student at the college is positioned for success,” Gonzalez said in the release.

https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...-new-dorm.html

[DetroitMan]

Affordable apartment complex a step closer to being built in Kalamazoo

A 36-unit, four-story affordable housing project is one step closer to being built in Kalamazoo’s Edison neighborhood.

The Kalamazoo City Commission unanimously approved a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) resolution on Monday, Oct. 16, for a developer to create Hawthorne Park at 205 and 209 E. Stockbridge Ave.

The PILOT will save the developer $81,962 in city, state and federal taxes, according to city documents. The estimated total, not taking into account inflation or increased taxable value, the city is expected to collect in payment over 50 years, once the property is built, is about $1 million, or $20,341 per year. Hawthorne Park is planned to be built east of John Street and south of Lake Street. It’s being proposed by the LIFT Foundation.

LIFT recently transformed a former Knights Inn into a 60-unit apartment building for those who had been experiencing homelessness.Opponents to the project voiced concerns over the number of police calls the LodgeHouse has received since it opened. Potential flooding and other environmental impacts were also brought up.

Lake Street resident Tina McClinton said existing infrastructure leads to area flooding at least twice a year.

https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo...kalamazoo.html

[deja vu]

Some more updates from around Kalamazoo -

An opening date for the new courthouse has been set - October 16. After that, everyone (or at least, I) will be looking intently at the historic court house building that fronts Michigan Avenue, to see what PlazaCorp does with it -

Opening date announced for new Kalamazoo Downtown Justice Center
WWMT News Channel 3
August 8, 2023

Source: Raymond Hole | WWMT

Related, the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners recently voted to authorize negotiation of the purchase of property at 246 W. Kalamazoo Ave. with plans to convert the land into parking that will serve the new justice complex. This is one of many puzzle pieces in play around the plans for the new downtown arena / event center. While no one will miss this remuddled Metro PCS dealer, there's also not a lot of excitement to be had for another surface lot downtown. But maybe it will be a parking garage with some street-level activity -

County votes to negotiate purchase of land in downtown Kalamazoo
Brad Devereaux | MLive
August 2, 2023

Source: MLive

More exciting than a parking lot, KPS' new Edison Academy is finished. The $25 million elementary school will welcome students in 2 weeks -

Take a look inside Kalamazoo’s new $25M elementary school
Aya Miller | MLive
August 14, 2023

Source: MLive

ISK's new 34/7 behavioral health urgent care also officially opened - last month -

24/7 mental health clinic opens in Kalamazoo
Ryan Boldrey | MLive
July 11, 2023

Source: ISK

A new event venue opened downtown recently, in the Main Street East property (251 East Michigan Ave. Suite 108). It occupies space that was most-recently vacated by Southwest Michigan First, which moved to the new Catalyst Center, just north of there, as well as a few other tenants -

1886 building undergoing $2M transformation into wedding, event center
Marie Weidmayer | MLive
July 11, 2023

Welcome to The Desenberg. Kalamazoo's premier event center in the heart of downtown

Source: Desenberg Events

A local architect has purchased the small commercial office building at 621 S Park St, with plans to convert it into his private residence. The building has some late mid-century + post-modern vibes, and even though a zoning variance was required, it seems like a befitting use, given that the surrounding properties are largely residential as well. I heard a rumor that this building, which most recently served as law offices, was originally constructed as a residence, but I've bene unable to verify that. It was originally built in 1981, and features flat roofs and a low-slung profile that is partially imbedded in the landscape. It looks like it has always been a commercial structure. But either way, this conversion project definitely seems like something that would entice an architect as a good challenge. Work has already begun on the repurposing, including new roofing and a pretty extensive gutting of the interior. First are some interior photos from the real-estate listing, followed by some of my own exterior walk-by photos, from August 1 -

A blast from the past, with finishes very reminiscent of the house I grew up in, right down to the red laminate countertops, red carpeting, and dark-stained wood -

















I didn't dare try to take interior photos through the windows, but it does appear that much of the inside has been gutted, so I fear a lot of this vintage "character" has been removed -

[deja vu]

At long last, there has been some movement on this five-story, 64-unit senior apartment building planned for a surface lot on S Rose St -

Kalamazoo city commissioners approve transformation of parking lot into housing complex
WWMT News Channel 3
August 22, 2023

I drove past the site on my way to work this morning and crews were already out on site doing some work. Encouraging - I was half suspecting this project was dead.

The city also awarded funds to the Northside Neighborhood's planned Zion Place development, a 70-unit senior living project -

$1.35M awarded to 2 senior living facilities coming to Kalamazoo
Ryan Boldrey | MLive
August 22, 2023

[deja vu]

Portage -

Tall Timbers Progress. Exterior finishes have begun, and I think they look pretty good -






Source: LinkedIn | AVB

[deja vu]

Few people probably realize that Kalamazoo is the only place in Michigan that Abraham Lincoln ever stepped foot, where he delivered a speech against the expansion of slavery 167 years ago. A statue that was a decade in the making to commemorate that event was unveiled on Sunday, in Bronson Park -

Kalamazoo celebrates Abraham Lincoln historic speech with new statue in Bronson Park
Anthony Sylvester | WWMT News Channel 3
August 27th 2023

Less than 2 days later, it was vandalized -

'38 Dakota Warrior': Bronson Park's newly unveiled Abraham Lincoln statue vandalized
Katie Sergent | WWMT News Channel 3
August 29th 2023

[deja vu]

Steel is starting at the KRESA Career Tech Center -


Source: LinkedIn | CSM Group (image credit - Blake Nichols at CSM Group)


Source: LinkedIn | KRESA (image credit - Shannon at CSM Group)

[deja vu]

Battle Creek -

DoubleTree by Hilton progress - on track for Q4 2024 opening -








Source: LinkedIn | Battle Creek Unlimited

[deja vu]

I'm at work, but in a procrastinating mood, so here are a few random, deferred updates, from in & near Kalamazoo -

East Side Square, phase 2 progress (8 condos + commercial space along E Main) -

East Main Street Condo project progresses, will provide housing in Kalamazoo's Eastside Neighborhood
Al Jones | Second Wave Media
August 24, 2023

Source: Fran Dwight | Second Wave Media

NACD Northside / Ransom St. infill project. These photos are already a bit dated, because the basements for the last 2 homes have been completely poured -








Source: LinkedIn | Abonmarche Byce

Right across the street from here, this house seemingly collapsed in on itself overnight. Although I'm pretty sure it was intentionally demolished, the debris has just been sitting there for a month with no further activity. No idea what is planned for this. Side note, Google actually captured the before & after, with some fresh street view imagery from July 2023 -




Source: My own photos

This old church (Trinity Lutheran) has been getting some exterior masonry repairs, which I've been watching progress on my commutes to work -


Source: My own photo

Here are some photos I took on a recent tour of the new Gull Lake Center for the Fine Arts (opened in 2022), part of the Gull Lake Community Schools district campus in Richland Township -












Source: My own photos

This little commercial development popped up seemingly overnight at 6289 W Main, in the ever-suburbanizing Oshtemo Township. It looks like 5 suites available to rent -




Source: My own photos

J. Rettenmaier (industrial fibers) is expanding its operations in Schoolcraft Township, south of Kalamazoo. Photos are of a precast addition, a few weeks old now -








Source: LinkedIn | Abonmarche Byce

[deja vu]

The 5-story senior housing project at 530 S Rose St. is finally underway! The perimeter fence is installed, and auger drilling has commenced. Photos by me, today -

[deja vu]

$11M Boys & Girls Clubs facility breaks ground in Kalamazoo
Ryan Boldrey | Mlive
Sep. 12, 2023

The building shrunk and the price tag has gone up $2 million. Also, from the new rendering in the article, it looks like they VE'd the second floor out of the project and simplified the finishes & massing. But even so, it's good to know this project is proceeding. It looks as though it will still have some curb presence too.

Here's a slightly older rendering, still showing 2 stories -


Source: Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo

[DetroitMan]

The new Ford battery plant in Marshall can now move forward as a judge dismissed the challenge to the rezoning for the facility.

Judge dismisses complaint against Marshall Megasite rezoning; opponents to amend complaint

Ford Motor Company's plans to build an electric vehicle battery plant in the Marshall area are still on track, at least for the time being

On Thursday, visitingCalhoun County Judge William Marietti dismissed a complaint by the Committee for Marshall — Not the Megasite aimed at halting construction of the battery plant, allowing the project — expected to create 2,500 jobs when production of lithium iron phosphate batteries begins at the plant in 2026 — to proceed.

In his written opinion Thursday, Marietti noted the ordinance targeted by the committee correctly included an appropriation of money, which prohibits it from being subject to a referendum. Marietti further noted that zoning of the parcel where Ford’s facility will be located would "generate site plan reviews as well as building inspections to achieve the purposes of promoting safety, meeting the needs for industry, and reducing hazards to life and property."

"The appropriation directly relates to and implements the object and express purposes of the ordinance," he wrote. The judge’s decision to dismiss the complaint also notes the committee's petition for a city-wide vote on a rezoning request tied to the project failed to follow provisions laid out in the Marshall City Charter.

“This court will not exercise its discretionary equitable powers to facilitate a scheme that violates the City Charter and flouts Supreme Court precedent,” Marietti wrote.

https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/...g/70856090007/

[deja vu]

^ Can't say I'm at all surprised, though the article does also note:

The committee now has the opportunity to amend its pleadings and has submitted an amended complaint with two new claims and additional facts, namely that the city "failed to provide proper notice of the ordinance amendment under City Charter section 4.02, and that the city cannot rezone an area the Joint Planning Commission has refused to rezone."

Meanwhile, foundation work proceeds. Here's the latest update, from a buddy of mine. I'd say the music choice fits the sentiment of many locals -

https://youtu.be/WGsa4LeG8pc?si=0_f5dmgqh4Ku92L1

[deja vu]

Maybe I'm just not understanding, but this sounds like a bad idea, on top of an already bad idea. Let's compel the local businesses, already struggling to make a profit, to cater to the growing homeless population's restroom needs, because the city can't get anything done. Don't worry, if someone ODs, falls asleep, clogs the toilet, etc. in your shop, our part-time ambassadors will get right on it Meanwhile, it's still perfectly fine to piss on the sidewalks and in Bronson Park.

New bathrooms aren’t being built in downtown Kalamazoo. Here’s what’s planned instead
Aya Miller | MLive
September 13, 2023

The city promotes the fact that public restrooms are available, but from 10:00pm to 7:30am, there is literally one single toilet that can be accessed by the hundreds of homeless downtown - the Portland Loo, installed in 2020 near the Arcadia Creek festival site.

[deja vu]

A jobsite trailer is in place across the street from the construction site at 530 S. Rose. Perimeter shoring is installed and the auger driller has already come and gone. We should be seeing foundations very soon -









Despite the requirement to protect the neighboring foundations, I am pretty sure that the adjacent pink house is vacant and probably not long for this world, because it is in pretty rough shape -



The downtown Justice Facility (oft constructed, never finished) -









Because of the construction delays with the new courthouse, officials have been discussing designing and building an additional courtroom at the Gull Road complex, so as to not create any further delays at the downtown site (an additional circuit court judge was recently added, but there is no assigned space for this new judge to hold court in the currently-under construction facility) -

Kalamazoo Co. works to add courtroom for new judge
David Horak | Wood TV 8
September 5, 2023

Nearby, the former Whitley Memorial Funeral Home at 330 N Westnedge awaits its own impending funeral. The windows were recently removed, and the surrounding site, which had been used for staging materials for the new justice center, is now cleared. This was probably a handsome house, back in the day. Now, it is one of the last remaining structures standing between oblivion and the future downtown event center. It looks like it's probably just a matter of hours before this one returns to the dust -

[deja vu]

Kalamazoo downtown lunch observations -

The city's second Portland Loo is installed. Unlike the first one, this one is only semi-public - it is situated within the enclosure of the children's nature playscape, and therefore only accessible to users of the space during normal operating hours -





A work crew was dismantling this war memorial statuary in front of the courthouse. Presumably, these will find a new home at the new courthouse, and this is one of the early steps in handing the property over to PlazaCorp -

[deja vu]

This seems like a silly use of funds -

Kalamazoo pays marketing firm $285K to communicate downtown street changes
Ryan Boldrey | MLive
October 3, 2023

Unrelated, I had dinner in Texas Corners on Monday and afterward, I checked-in on the Lofts on Q. Surprisingly, I don't mind the finishes too much. Not sure how well they will age though -

[deja vu]

The next (final) two houses of this NACD infill development are framed up -

[deja vu]

A few updates from here & there -

Kalamazoo -

KDPS Station No. 2 had a ribbon cutting last week. It's definitely a level-up from the architecture of Station No. 1 -








Source: Facebook | Becky Holland Fuller

Pavilion Township -

First buildings complete in 344-unit project that adds ‘significantly’ to Kalamazoo County housing stock
Rachel Watson | Crain's Grand Rapids Business
October 16, 2023

Source: Crain's Grand Rapids | Courtesy Photo

Portage -

The members-only Beacon Club closed it doors a few years ago, due to declining membership. I has since been purchased by local Frenchman Francois Moyet, and reimagined as 'A La Ferme' (At The Farm), a restaurant that will be open to the general public. Moyet is also the current owner of the Henderson Castle. I've never been, so I can't discern from these photos how much was really updated from the Beacon Club days. But it doesn't look like much. The décor looks pretty old & tired, unless that was an intentional choice -

Beacon Club in Portage transforms into 'A La Ferme,' opening doors to the public
WWMT News Channel 3
October 17, 2023

Source: Pat Hagan | WWMT