I was hoping to take some photos around town today, but ongoing rain has hampered that plan. So instead, here's some recent news on several small neighborhood developments happening around the area:
1. New Mini-Neighborhood, Eastside
In Kalamazoo's Eastside neighborhood, the County Land Bank is working with the local neighborhood association and potential investors to fund a new mini-neighborhood of 8 small, mixed-income homes on the site of recently cleared land that housed several blighted homes. The Land Bank hopes to raise $2.5 million and begin construction in 2018. The homes are planned to be 600-1,000 SF, with 1-2 bedrooms each. The proposed site is at
Foresman and East Michigan Ave. There is currently a community garden adjacent to the planned development which would be integrated into the overall plans.
The first tiny house in the city was completed earlier this year on Charles Avenue, several blocks away.
2. Read and Write Kalamazoo - new Home, Vine Neighborhood
Read and Write Kalamazoo (RAWK) is approaching the opening of its new home at the corner of South Westnedge and Vine Street (
802 S. Westnedge), previously home of Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services. RAWK is a local nonprofit that promotes reading and writing for area youth. It will move from its current Northside 'Reality Factory' location (213 E. Frank Street) to the Vine Neighborhood in an effort to increase its accessibility and community impact. One of 40 $25,000 grants from State Farm Insurance Co. was awarded to RAWK out of 2,000 national applications for the Neighborhood Assist program.
3. Bates Alley Improvements, Downtown / Haymarket District
The City of Kalamazoo, with the help of Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. is trying to crowdfund $50,000 on
patronicity to support planned pedestrian improvements to Bates Alley. This is part of a larger trend in the city to make its small network of downtown alleyways more approachable for non-vehicular users. If $50K can be raised by November 29, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will chip in an additional $50K to support the work, which will include:
- Repairing and repaving the roadway
- Installation of overhead bistro string lights
- Replacing unsightly parking lot fencing with ornamental trees and landscaping
- Decorative fencing
- Installation of removable bollards at either end, to limit vehicular access
- Bike racks, waste receptacles and other streetscape items to be included
- Decorative signage
- Lighting along the cornices of the buildings that line the length of the alley
Bates Alley and Portage Road - Today:
Bates Alley and Portage Rd - Proposed Rendering:
Images Source: Patronicity
The 'proposed' rendering feels a bit convoluted, but I'm sure the end result won't appear so haphazard. It also seems like the City is not waiting for the crowdfunding deadline (or next Spring) to begin some of the work. Two weeks ago some of the asphalt parking lot was torn up and new plants and outdoor power outlets quickly appeared. A new tree was also planted at the corner of Bates Alley and Edwards Street (the other entrance / node of the alley).
Bates Alley and S Edwards St - Before:
Image Source:
Google Maps
Bates Alley and S Edwards St - as photographed on November 8, 2017:
Image Source: My own
I don't think this crowdfunding campaign has been very well publicized yet, but I hope that the goal is reached. It would be an improvement for the restaurant businesses along this stretch, because nobody wants to sit out on the sidewalk that fronts Michigan Avenue and breathe in all the diesel fumes while they sip their cocktails.
• Video Link