KALAMAZOO / PORTAGE / BATTLE CREEK | Development Thread

[deja vu]

Battle Creek -

The new Bronson Behavioral Health hospital broke ground last week -




Source: CSM Group

[deja vu]

Kalamazoo -

CSM & the crane operator at the downtown justice facility are getting into the holiday spirit -


Source: LinkedIn | CSM Group






Source: LinkedIn | All State Crane & Rigging, LLC

[deja vu]

Gull Lake (Richland Township) -

Gull Lake Community Schools is building a new Center for the Fine Arts that will seat ~ 900 and will feature a gallery, scene shop, and orchestra pit. It is funded by a $65 million 2018 bond passage and it is expected to open in early 2022. It will be a significant addition to the district and the community. Here are some interior progress photos from the CM and exterior photos the school district's 2018 millage bond webpage -






Source: LinkedIn | Miller-Davis Company






Source: 2018 Bond - Gull Lake Community Schools

[deja vu]

Kalamazoo -

Site plan review documents have been submitted for 619 Porter St. Included are some new renderings for this substantial live / work project on the Northside.






Source: City of Kalamazoo / Bosch

[deja vu]

Kalamazoo -

With Phase 1 nearing completion, there's some news about Phase 2 of the Kalamazoo Farmers' Market development -

$1 Million Irving S Gilmore Foundation Grant Accepted for Phase 2 Kalamazoo Farmers Market Improvements
City of Kalamazoo
December 6, 2021

On Monday, December 6, 2021 the City Commission accepted a $1,000,000 grant from the Irving S Gilmore Foundation to support the second phase of the Kalamazoo Farmer's Market redevelopment including the construction of the Events Building and a playground on the site...

Phase 1 progress -




Phase 2 rendering -

Source: City of Kalamazoo

[deja vu]

We're going vertical, before the end of the year! The first few columns are up at the new justice facility downtown!


Source: LinkedIn | CSM Group

Nearby, the new Women & Children's Shelter addition to the Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries complex is nearly complete. It should be ready in time for the coldest months of the year -


Source: Youtube


Source: LinkedIn | AVB

[deja vu]

A couple of January updates -

Downtown Justice Facility -


Source: LinkedIn | CSM Group

400 Rose, Phase 2 (it's further along than this now - 2nd floor is mostly framed-out) -




Source: LinkedIn | AVB

Kalamazoo Gospel Mission addition, effectively complete -




Source: Al Jones | Second Wave Media

[DetroitMan]

A black history museum is being proposed for Downtown Kalamazoo...
Black history museum proposed for downtown Kalamazoo

Plans for the museum were announced by the Rev. William Stein and state Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, at a media briefing Monday, Feb. 14, at the Wesley Foundation of Kalamazoo.

A building or parcel of land for the museum has not yet been identified, but the estimated $30 million project would entail either buying land and building on it or purchasing and converting an existing two- or three-story structure in downtown Kalamazoo.

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

[deja vu]

^ That would be a great addition. Downtown / the city needs more museums in general.

[deja vu]

I took a walk around downtown today at lunch. There wasn't a whole lot going on, apart from two big projects. Contractors seemed to be enjoying the above-freezing temps (as was I) -

400 Rose, Phase 2 - it appears they are just beginning framing on the fourth (top) floor -











I saw some interior work happening for Factory Coffee's new space in the Phase 1 ground floor retail area -



The Downtown Justice Facility is really starting to take shape. Steel slingers & block layers going at it -









There's some signage and some flags in the ground for the Bronson Park Natural Playscape. Expect construction to start this spring -

[DetroitMan]

Awesome Update! Do you know if work has started on the Hard Rock Cafe Hotel yet?

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by DetroitMan

Awesome Update! Do you know if work has started on the Hard Rock Cafe Hotel yet?

Nothing. Haven't seen or heard any developments on it. It seems stalled.

[BrewInKzoo]

Saw this while reviewing the brownfield redevelopment agenda for the meeting scheduled tomorrow -

Recommendation to approve an Option to Purchase Real Estate Agreement for the property at 125 E. North Street between BRA and Hollander Development Corporation.

Hollander was the developer of the Creamery Apartments on Portage Road. I wonder what they have in store for this parcel!

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by BrewInKzoo

Saw this while reviewing the brownfield redevelopment agenda for the meeting scheduled tomorrow -

Recommendation to approve an Option to Purchase Real Estate Agreement for the property at 125 E. North Street between BRA and Hollander Development Corporation.

Hollander was the developer of the Creamery Apartments on Portage Road. I wonder what they have in store for this parcel!

Good sleuthing, and that's good to hear. That would be this corner property, at North & Burdick. I know that this intersection has been in the city's sights for years, as a prime redevelopment node to catalyze more investment in the Northside. Hollander does good work. Whatever they are planning, I think it can only help the area. Hopefully a mixed-used development with true affordable housing.

The lot across from this (on the west side of Burdick) is now home to a successful, seasonal food truck business. The lot that is opposite this (SW corner) is also prime redevelopment land. There were some plans to convert the vacant church further west on North St. into mixed-use w/ housing. I think those plans fell through a while ago though.

[deja vu]

Happy 5 years to this thread (still going strong)! To celebrate, here is a smattering of things going on -

Kalamazoo -

1. The downtown justice facility is slightly ahead of schedule, and steel top-out is expected soon. Occupancy is expected sometime in mid-2023, which frankly is quite impressive for a project that started just nine months ago, especially given its size and the current economic climate and supply chain + labor challenges -

$95M justice facility construction is ahead of schedule, Kalamazoo County says
Brad Devereaux | MLive
March 11, 2022

Source: MLive | Joel Bissell

2. The central connecting element of the new WMU Student Center & Dining Facility - known as the cedar heart - is taking shape. The staircase will link all 3 floors through a central atrium below a skylight -




Source: Facebook | WMU Build

3. Related; we knew this was coming, but now official news that the 65-year-old Bernhard Center (the current student center) will be demolished sometime this year, once the new center opens -

After 65 years as a hub for students, Western Michigan’s Bernhard Center will be demolished
Kayla Miller | MLive
March 7, 2022

Source: MLive | Kayla Miller

4. The city broke ground on its newest police station on March 9. The ~ $9.5 million facility will be located in the Edison neighborhood -

Kalamazoo breaks ground on new public safety station in the Edison neighborhood
Brad Devereaux | MLive
March 9, 2022

Source: MLive | City of Kalamazoo

5. The new Children’s Nature Playscape is scheduled to break ground on Tuesday. There are two planned phases and it is expected to be open later this year. I'm still bitter about the historic church that was demolished to make way for this, but I'm coming around to the idea that it will be a positive asset to downtown, especially given that it will be open to the public and not just for private use -

Children’s Nature Playscape to break ground on March 22
Jerry Malec | WKZO
March 10, 2022

Source: WKZO

6. Graphic Packaging International wrapped up its massive Phase 1 expansion (a.k.a. the K2 project) in late 2021. Phase 2 is now ongoing, which entails exterior improvements to the rest of its existing buildings to create a more cohesive campus, as well as interior renovations to operational centers. Here is an image of the new K2 paperboard machine (nearly 4 stories tall), as well as some Phase 2 renderings. The bad news with all of this is that it means the closure of the Battle Creek plant is imminent. There's also been some negative news around pollution caused by the Kalamazoo plant, especially as it affects nearby residents.

K2 Paperboard Machine (for the production of recycled carboard products) -


Security Entrance -


South Entrance -


Control Room -


Read more about the development here:

With Construction of K2 Project Complete, Graphic Packaging Turns Attention to Campus Improvements
Graphic Packaging International
February 22, 2022

7. Parkview Avenue construction is scheduled to start tomorrow (Monday, March 21, 2022), between Tamsin Avenue and Oakland Drive. Work will go on through mid-October, 2022. Read more here -

Parkview Avenue Reconstruction Project Scheduled to begin Monday, March 21
Imagine Kalamazoo
March 4, 2022

...The nearly $3 million investment will upgrade the undersized water main and install new water service lines and fire hydrants. When the street is rebuilt, the width of vehicle lanes will be reduced to 10 feet wide to calm traffic. The additional space on the roadway will allow the width of the bike lanes to be expanded. New sidewalk will be installed on the north side of Parkview from Broadway to Barnard, and a crossing with a pedestrian island will be added at Barnard to connect the Oakwood and Oakland Drive/Winchell neighborhoods...

Source: Imagine Kalamazoo

8. Drywall is going in at Factory Coffee -




Source: LinkedIn | AVB

9.

Kalamazoo commits $750K to help build 8 homes and rehab 4 others
Brad Devereaux | MLive
March 9, 2022

The city of Kalamazoo this week committed $750,000 toward building and rehabilitating housing as part of a program to help people attain homeownership. City staff recommended the Kalamazoo City Commission approve two grant agreements totaling $750,000 for the Kalamazoo Attainable Homes/Pathways Home Homeownership Initiative. The homes built or renovated using the funds will then be sold to qualifying buyers...The $750,000 grant award is split into two agreements:

• $250,000 to acquire and rehabilitate four homes to be sold under lease purchase agreements
• $500,000 to build eight new homes to be sold to qualified homeowners

Portage -

1/ Take a virtual walk through the nearly-finished Portage Community Senior Center -

• Video Link

2. The old Fannie May chocolate store, located at the southwest corner of Milham & Westnedge, was demolished last month. It will become the site of a new WellNow Urgent Care, likely similar in appearance to the one below -

We may now know what's replacing the old Fannie May location in Portage
Laura Gordon | WKFR
March 18, 2022

Source: WKFR.com \ Dana Marshall


Source: WKFR.com | courtesy WellNow Urgent Care

Vicksburg -

1. The resurrected Mackenzies Bakery is set to open at its new location in downtown Vicksburg in a few weeks -

Rendering -



Progress -


Source: Facebook | Mackenzies Bakery

2. Historically-accurate sawtooth monitors being installed on the roof of the old machine room, at The Mill at Vicksburg -


Source: Facebook | The Mill at Vicksburg

[deja vu]

Spring was definitely in the air yesterday - 72 F and breezy. These are some photos from my walk at lunch.

Downtown Justice Facility -



400 Rose Phase 2 -







Children's Nature Playscape (mobilization started yesterday) -

[deja vu]

Kalamazoo -

R'AIR dispensary on Drake (across from Lowes) is almost done -



Oshtemo Township -

Tonight's Planning Commission meeting agenda includes a public hearing for a rezoning request by developers AVB and The Hinman Co. for the Prairies Golf Club. The club sits on a 116-acre property located at 5303 W Main Street. They want to conditionally rezone it from from R-2 and R-4, Residence Districts to the C, Local Business District, to support future plans for a large mixed-use development. The "conditional" part applies to the southeastern subsection of the property. If that area is not approved for development no later than two years from the date of the rezoning approval, it would revert back to the current R-2 and R-4 residential zoning designations.

The plan seems to have a lot of public opposition, and the packet states that it conflicts with multiple township standards and its master plan for the area. The Township's legal council and Planning Commission both are requesting that the request be denied, so we'll see where this goes. Low-res images below are extracted from the online packet -






Source: Oshtemo Township

[deja vu]

Portage -

1. Construction is underway at 850 Trade Centre Way. As far as I can tell, this is still the same hotel project that was planned a few years ago but was put on hold, likely because of the pandemic. I don't know who the hotel operator will be, or what the height will be. But I'd assume something comparable to the nearby 4-story Homewood Suites (Hilton) and the 4-story Courtyard (Marriott) -




Source: LinkedIn | AVB


Source: Portage Planning Commission

2. Portage Community Senior Center photo update. This one is behind schedule, but getting close -














Source: LinkedIn | Byce & Associates, Inc.

3. VCA Animal Hospital -

The February 3 Planning Commission Packet indicates that there are plans to convert the former Gander Outdoors / Gander Mountain into an Animal Hospital that would be operated by VCA, a California-based group that runs a chain of such hospitals throughout North America. They would lease and remodel the space at 5348 S. Westnedge Ave. A special land use permit was approved at the meeting. I think this is a good use - the Kalamazoo area only has one 24-hour animal hospital, and it's pretty small. This big box store has struggled to retain a tenant for years, it is set back from the main drag, and it is easily accessed from I-94. The building is 31,000 SF, which results in a pretty massive-looking animal hospital operation -

EDIT: I happened to drive by the existing animal hospital today at 104 W Cork St. and I realized that it is run by the same group - VCA. So presumably they will move out of their current dated + small facility and into the new one, once it's complete.

[deja vu]

Kalamazoo -

There are a few things on the docket for site plan review right now.

1. 530 S Rose St. - this is a resubmission of a 5-story housing project first submitted in summer 2020. The most substantial change appears to be the removal of one of the garage doors fronting Rose that provides access to the covered, at-grade parking. It looks like the parking has been reconfigured for a single entry / access point, vs. the previous layout that had a separate entrance & exit. It looks like a small ground floor retail space takes the place of the removed garage access (location).







Here's the older 2020 rendering (no new renderings in the site packet) -


2. 4305 Portage St. - repurposing of an existing auto shop into another provisioning center, called "PUFF" (location)







3. 2605 E Kilgore Rd. - a new warehouse-type building and associated site improvements for Zoetis, referred to as "Building 812" (location).

[deja vu]

Kalamazoo -

Kalamazoo's newest brewery - Brewery Outré - opened Friday, April 1 in the ground floor of the Harrison Circle apartment building. I kinda hope this one does well, because we've lost a few breweries through the pandemic -

Brewery Outré opens new taproom in Kalamazoo
Ryan Boldrey | MLive
March 31, 2022

Source: Gabi Broekema | MLive

This could be a good little project for the Northside, if it happens. The proposed $3.2 million development just received a $400K grant from the county housing millage, and it would include 9 residential units (4 of those affordable) and a daycare center (2 separate structures). It would be built in a vacant field at 315 E Frank St, within sight of Heritage Guitar -

Former Western Michigan running back’s next play is building new housing in Kalamazoo
Brad Devereaux | MLive
March 31, 2022; Updated: April 1, 2022

Source: MLive | Bogan Development

Texas Township -

Bronson Outpatient Surgery Center progress -


Source: LinkedIn | CSM Group