KALAMAZOO / PORTAGE / BATTLE CREEK | Development Thread

deja vu · #1 Posted **Mar 12, 2017, 9:48 PM**

This thread is for developments in the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek-Portage area. It will primarily focus on larger projects within the three primary cities, but smaller developments within these cities and nearby (within Kalamazoo & Calhoun Counties) may also be included.

(organization of Michigan development threads)

The 2020 US Census Data puts the CSA population estimate for the region at about 502,000, making it the fourth largest CSA in Michigan (after Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing) and ranking it among the 100 largest CSA's in the country. The municipalities highlighted below are organized by population and are arranged from largest to smallest (2020 US CB Data unless noted otherwise). Note that this thread coverage doesn't quite align with the CSA definition. For other developments in West Michigan, refer to this thread.

Code:

Kalamazoo - Kalamazoo County
Population: ~73,600 (2020)

Source: Instagram | @whiskeyalphadelta

Battle Creek - Calhoun County
Population: ~52,700 (2020)

Source: My own photo

Portage - Kalamazoo County
Population: ~48,900 (2020)

Source: MLive File Photo

Oshtemo Township - Kalamazoo County
Population: ~23,700 (2020)

Source: MLive

Kalamazoo Township - Kalamazoo County
Population: ~22,800 (2020)

Source: WMUK | Sehvilla Mann

Texas Township - Kalamazoo County
Population: ~17,700 (2020)

Source: localharvest.org

Comstock Township - Kalamazoo County
Population: ~15,200 (2020)

Source: Facebook | Comstock Township

Emmett Township - Calhoun County
Population: ~11,700 (2020)

Source: Firekeepers Casino

Richland Township - Kalamazoo County
Population: ~8,700 (2020)

Source: Hurley & Stewart

Pavilion Township - Kalamazoo County
Population: ~ 6,400 (2020)

Source: trip.com

Ross Township - Kalamazoo County
Population: ~4,900 (2020)

Source: Michigan Underwater Divers Club

Village of Vicksburg - Kalamazoo County
Population: ~3,700 (2020)

Source: Village of Vicksburg

Galesburg - Kalamazoo County
Population: ~2,200 (2020)

Source: MLive | Nicholas Grenke

deja vu · #2 Posted **Mar 14, 2017, 12:12 AM**

Unless noted otherwise, all projects for each location are arranged first by status, then by cost, if known (most to least expensive).

Status Order:

under-construction (listed first)
approved / proposed (listed second)
completed (listed third, newest to oldest)
demolished / destroyed (listed fourth)
cancelled (listed last)

Kalamazoo

Code:

WMU "Hilltop Village", multi-phase, under construction (~ $500+ million)
(general location)

Source: WMU

Kalamazoo Country Club Expansion, under construction (~ $100+ million?)
1609 Whites Rd.

Source: MLive | City of Kalamazoo

KRESA Career Tech Center, under construction (~ $100 million)
5322 S. Sprinkle Rd.

Source: City of Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo County Downtown Justice Facility, under construction ($95 million)
(general location)

Source: MLive | Courtesy TowerPinkster

Zoetis Expansion, under construction ($95 million)
2605 E. Kilgore Rd.

Source: LinkedIn | Schweitzer Incorporated

I-94 widening & Portage Road interchange rebuild, under construction ($87 million)
(general location)

Source: MLive | Courtesy MDOT

WMU Dunbar Hall Renovation, under construction ($40 million)
(general location)

Source: WMU Capital Projects

530 S Rose St. (Senior Living), under construction (~ $15 million?)
(location)

Source: Second Wave Media | Kalamazoo County

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo, under construction ($11 million)
(general location)

Source: Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo

Eastside Square Mixed-Use (multi-phase), under construction (~ $10 million?)
(general location)

Source: InForm Architecture

Public Safety Station No. 2, under construction ($9.5 million)
(general location)

Source: MLive | City of Kalamazoo

Capital Health Group - Drug Rehab Facility, under construction (~ $5 million?)
1430 Alamo Ave.

Source: Kalamazoo Site Plan Review

Zone 32 / Bogan Development, under construction ($3.2 million)
(315 E Frank St.)

Source: City of Kalamazoo

Old Douglass Community Center, under construction (~ $2 million?)
(general location)
Source: My own photo

Children's Nature Playscape, Phase 2 under construction ($1.6 million)
(Phase 1 completed July 2022)
302 Academy St.

Source: WKZO

Downtown Stadium / Event Center, proposed (~ $100+ million)
(general location)

Source: MLive

Unnamed Plazacorp Development, proposed ($100 million)
(general location)

Source: Mike Krafcik | WWMT (edited)

2022 Kalamazoo College Master Plan projects, proposed (~ $70+ million?)
(general location)

Source: Kalamazoo College Facilities

Hard Rock Reverb Hotel & Gibson Guitar Museum, proposed (~ $50+ million?)
225 Parsons St.

Source: WWMT | Contributed

Downtown Two-Way Street Conversion, proposed (~ $30+ million)
(general location)

Source: Joel Bissell | MLive

140 S Edwards St. Redevelopment, proposed ($25+ million?)
140 S Edwards St.

Source: miplace.org

River's Edge (River Caddis Development), proposed ($55 million)
508 Harrison / 600 Gull Rd.

Source: MLive | Byce & Associates

Arcadia Lofts, proposed (~ $20+ million?)
203 N Rose St.

Source: City of Kalamazoo | Bosch Architecture

619 Porter Development, proposed ($13.2 million)
(general location)

Source: WWMT | Courtesy PlazaCorp LLC

Hawthorne Park, proposed (~ $10 million?)
205 / 209 E. Stockbridge Ave.

Source: MLive

Mt. Zion Northside Senior Housing Project, proposed (~ $8 million?)
(general location)

Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy Byce & Associates, Inc.

215 E Michigan Ave., proposed ($4.2 million)
215 E Michigan Ave.

Source: MLive | Brad Devereaux

266 E. Michigan Ave. apartment conversion, proposed (~ $4 million?)
(location)

Source: City of Kalamazoo

809, 813, and 817 Porter Street, proposed (~ $3 million)?
(general location)
<no image available yet>

902 W North St / Jabez, proposed (~ $3 million)
902 W North St.

Source: 7GenAE

718 N. Burdick St, proposed (~ $2 million?)
 718 N. Burdick St.

Source: City of Kalamazoo

Whitley Memorial Funeral Home, proposed (~ $1 million?)
(general location)

Source: Intersect Studio

HOPE Project / Northside Tiny House Development, proposed (~ $1 million?)
(general location)

Source: MLive

Coffee Shop and Office, proposed (~ $500,000?)
1023 Riverview Dr.

Source: City of Kalamazoo

Edison Academy, completed August 2023 ($18 million)
924 Russell St.

Source: MLive | Cory Morse

WMU Student Center and Dining Facility, completed July 2023 ($70+ million)
(general location)

Source: LinkedIn | WMU

ISK Behavioral Health Urgent Care, completed July 2023 (~ $5 million)
440 W. Kalamazoo Ave.

Source: My own photo

Woods Lake Square, completed June 2023 (~ $7 million?)
3110 Oakland Dr.

Source: My own photo

400 Rose Phase 2, completed June 2023 ($26.2 million)
234 W Cedar St.

Source: My own photo

Heritage Community of Kalamazoo - Revel Creek, completed November 2022 ($60 million)
2400 Portage St. / 500 Golden Dr.

Source: City of Kalamazoo Site Plan Review

WP Diner @ Washington Square, completed September 2022 (~ $1.5 million?)
1324 portage St.

Source: MLive | Sophie Hillmeyer

Bank Street Farmers Market Expansion, completed summer 2022 ($10 million)
251 Mills St.

Source: MLive | Joel Bissell

Graphic Packaging International Expansion, completed summer 2022 ($600 million)
1810 N Pitcher St.

Source: City of Kalamazoo

Westgate Apartments, completed July 2022 ($4.7 million)
615 W Kalamazoo Ave.

Source: My own photo

LodgeHouse / Knights Inn Conversion, completed July 2022 (~ $5 million?)
1211 S. Westnedge Ave.

Source: City of Kalamazoo / INFORM Architecture

Yuma Way / Urban Gardens Cannabis, completed May 2022 (~ $500,000?)
617 Portage St.

Source: City of Kalamazoo | Driven Design

RAIR Dispensary, completed April 2022 (~ $2 million)
104 / 110 N Drake Rd.

Source: City of Kalamazoo / RAIR

Gospel Ministries Women & Children's Shelter, completed March 2022 ($10 million)
(general location)

Source: AVB

Brick + Brine (restaurant), in the Radisson, completed January 2022 (~ $1 million?)
100 W Michigan Ave.

Source: Open Table

Kalsee Credit Union, Milwood Branch, completed January 2022 (~ $1.5 million?)
3121 Portage St.

Source: LinkedIn | Schweitzer Inc.

The Monroe Building restoration, completed 2021? (~ $2 million?)
151 E Michigan Ave.

Source: LinkedIn | Treystar

Fraternity Village Apartments, completed fall 2021 (~ $500,000?)
1709 Fraternity Village Dr.

Source: LinkedIn | AVB

Kalamazoo College Natatorium, completed October 2021 ($18 million)
(general location)

Source: mortarr.com

Haymarket Plaza, completed September 2021 (< $1 million?)
(general  location)

Source: WWMT | Jason Heeres

Warner Building, a.k.a. CD12, completed September 2021 ($70+ million)
180 E Water St.

Source: MiBiz | Courtesy of Catalyst Development Co. LLC

Harrison Circle Apartments, completed August 2021 ($18 million)
(general location)

Source: Apartments.com

Kalamazoo Latvian Church, completed August 2021 (~ $2 million?)
100 Cherryhill St.

Source: LinkedIn | Intersect Studio

Home2 Suites, completed May 2021 (~ $28 million?)
(general location)

Source: MLive

Eastside City Life Teen Center, completed March 2021 ($3 million)
2528 E. Main St.

Source: GRBJ | Courtesy CD Barnes

The Creamery, completed March 2021 ($14.7 million)
corner of Lake and Portage Sts.

Source: kalamazoolteracy.org

Bronson / Frank J. Sardone Cancer Pavilion, completed February 2021 ($60 million)
805 John St.

Source: Contributed

WMU Arcadia Flats Apartments, completed January 2021 ($60 million)
1760 Ring Rd S

Source: MLive | Joel Bissell

Chick-fil-A, West Main & Drake, completed January 2021 (Kalamazoo's first)
504 N Drake Rd.

Source: My own photo

Avid Hotel Kalamazoo East, completed early 2021 (~ $15 million?)
3717 East Cork St.

Source: My own photo

Oakland Drive Office Building, completed early 2021 (~ $1 million?)
(general location)

Source: LinkedIn | AVB

Cork Street Reconstruction, completed late 2020 ($6.5 million)
(general location)

Source: MLive | City of Kalamazoo

Hilton Garden Inn, completed November 2020 (~ $18 million?)
303 N Rose St.

Source: My own photo

MDHHS Office Building, completed November 2020 ($20 million)
427 E Alcott St.

Source: My own photo

St. Augustine Cathedral Upgrades, completed late 2020 ($2.8 million)
542 W Michigan Ave.

Source: Miller Davis

Honor Credit Union Stadium Dr. Member Center, completed August 2020 (~ $1.5 million?)
4400 Stadium Dr.

Source: Honor Credit Union

Bronson Lab Testing Facility, completed July 2020 (~ $6 million?)
400 John St.

Source: Instagram | TowerPinkster

400 Rose Phase 1, completed Summer 2020 ($24.2 million)
400 S Rose St.

Source: AVB

The Exchange, completed mid-2020 ($53 million)
155 W Michigan Ave.

Source: Instagram | @byceassociate

Gilmore Apartments, completed 2020 (~ $6 million?)
100 Portage St.

Source: kalamazoostudios.com

Honor Credit Union Downtown Connect Center, completed November 2019 (~ $1.5 million?)
148 E Michigan Ave.

Source: My own photo

First National Bank Renovation, completed fall 2019 (~ $2 million?)
318 W Michigan Ave.

Source: My own photo

The Montessori School expansion, completed summer 2019 ( ~ $1.5 million?)
750 Howard St.

Source: Kayla Miller | MLive

Newell Brands Design Center Expansion, completed summer 2019 ($7.3 million)
3300 Research Way

Source: Newell Brands | LinkedIn

Apartment Conversion / Buildout & Remodel, completed summer 2019 (~ $2 million?)
220 W. Michigan Ave.

Source: my own photo

The Park Club restoration, completed summer 2019 (~ $1.5 million?)
219 W South St.

Source: my own photo

Kalamazoo County DHHS, completed spring 2018 (~ $ 12 million?)
(renovation of former Illinois Envelope Company building)
311 E Alcott St.

Source: My own photo

Family Health Center - Alcott, completed April 2017 ($15 million)
505 E Alcott St.

Source: Eckert-Wordell

2700 West, completed August 2015 (~ $15 million?)
2700 W. Michigan Ave.

Source: Byce & Associates

Newell Brands Design Center, completed May 2014 (~ $16 million?)
3300 Research Way

Source: Perkins&Will

Family Health Center - Paterson, completed July 2012 (~ $15 million?)
117 W Paterson St.

Source: Family Health Center

WMU Davis, French, & Zimmerman Halls, demolished mid-2021 (~ $2 million?)
(general location)

Source: My own photo (July 2021)

WMU Draper and Siedschlag Halls, demolished February 2021 (~ $400,000?)
(general location)

Source: Instagram | @facilities_wmu

First Reformed Church, demolished January 2021 (~ $150,000?)
302 Academy St.

Source: MLive | Joel Bissell

Boatyard Brewing, demolished July 2020 (~ $60,000?)
432 E Paterson St.

Source: Facebook | Jane Brewer

900 Block of W North St, destroyed by arson / demolished June 2020 (~ $100,000?)
(general location)

Source: MLive | Joel Bissell

Congregation of St. Joseph, demolished March 2020 (~ $500,000?)
(general location)

Source: My own photo

Church of Christ Scientist, demolished August 2019 (~ $150,000?)
(general location)

Source: My own photo

Fountain of the Pioneers, deconstructed spring 2018 ($200,000)
(general location)

Source: My own photo

Bryant Mill / Allied Paper Corp., demolished 2004 - 2008 (~ $1 million+?)
(general location)

Source: alliedpaper.net

440 S Burdick, cancelled (~ $40 million?)
440 S Burdick St.

Source: City of Kalamazoo ZBA

Battle Creek

Code:

Double Tree by Hilton, under construction (~ $60 million)
former McCamly Plaza Hotel conversion
(general location)

Source: Second Wave Media | BCU

Duncan Aviation Expansion, under construction ($40 million)
(general location)

Source: Battle Creek Enquirer | Provided

Redwood Battle Creek, under construction (~ $10+ million?)
(general location)

Source: Battle Creek Enquirer | Provided

99 & 103 W. Michigan Ave. Rehabilitation, under construction (~ $4 million?)
103 W. Michigan Ave.

Source: LinkedIn | BCU

Ralston Purina Co. Factory Redevelopment, proposed (~ $50+ million?)
150 McCamly St. South

Image Source: Alyssa Keown | The Battle Creek Enquirer

BCPS Northwestern Middle School / K-8 Arts Academy, proposed ($40 million)
176 Limit St.

Source: Battle Creek Enquirer | Battle Creek Public Schools / C2AE

Sophia Square, proposed ($20.6 million)
85 W. Michigan Ave.
<no image available yet>

Downtown Kalamazoo River Restoration, proposed ($20+ million)
(general location)

Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy Battle Creek Whitewater
Bowers Aluminum Expansion, proposed ($7.8 million)
1401 Shiga Dr.

Source: Bowers Aluminum Co.

Housing-First Transition Housing, proposed (~ $6.5 million?)
535 W Van Buren St.
<no image available yet>

Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel renovation, proposed ($300,000)
255 South Ave.

Source: Second Wave Media | John Grap

Kingman Museum, vacant / at-risk
175 Limit St.

Source: Battle Creek Enquirer

Bronson Behavioral Health Hospital, completed June 2023 ($35 million)
(general location)

Source: Wood TV 8 | Courtesy Rendering

New Holland Brewing, completed March 2023 (~ $3 million?)
64 W Michigan Ave.

Source: Phil Gawel | WWMT

Magna Cosma Casting expansion, completed fall 2021 ($31.9 million)
10 Clark Rd N

Source: Second Wave Media | Shabaka Gibson / BCU

IPUSA Spec. Building, completed September 2021 ($11 million)
(general location)

Source: Industrial Partners USA

WMU Aviation Education College Addition, completed September 2021 ($24 million)
237 Helmer Rd N

Source: WWMT | Lexie Petrovic

The Milton, completed spring 2021 ($36 million)
25 W Michigan Ave.

Source: Instagram | @michigan business

Summit Pointe First Step Psychiatric Urgent Care, completed Mar. 2021 (~ $20 million?)
175 College St.

Source: Second Wave Media

Kellogg's Innovation Suite, completed February 2021 (~ $2 million?)
2 Hamblin Ave.

Source: FSR Magazine | Courtesy Kellogg Company

One Nation - Tap & Table, completed January 2021 (~ $500,000?)
544 W Columbia Ave.

Source: https://onenationbc.com

Record Box / Handmap Brewing, completed 2018 - 2020 (~ $5 million?)
15 Carlyle St.

Source: felixandfingers.com

Battle Creek Police Department Station, completed August 2018 ($16 million)
20 N Division St.

Source: Schweitzer, Inc.

Bronson Family Medicine - Helmer Road, completed May 2017 (~ $5.5 million?)
2900 Watkins Rd, Battle Creek

Source: Bronson Health

Battle Creek Area Math & Science Center, completed December 2013 ($14 million)
171 Michigan Ave.

Source: Schweitzer

Former Kmart, demolished spring 2021 (~ $300,000?)
200 Capital Ave.

Source: The Battle Creek Enquirer

Binder Building, demolished December 2020 (~ $80,000?)
34 E Michigan Ave.

Source: Battle Creek Enquirer | Trace Christenson

Portage

Code:

Pfizer Modular Aseptic Production building (MAP), under construction ($465 million)
(general location)

Source: MEDC | Courtesy Pfizer

PPS 2021 Bond Projects, under construction ($175.7 million)
Replace five elementary schools & remodel one
(multiple locations - new Haverhill Elementary rendering - pictured)

Source: Mlive

Tall Timbers, under construction ($47 million)
3413 W Centre Ave.

Source: MLive | City of Portage

Springhill Suites, under construction (~ $16 million?)
(850 Trade Centre Way)

Source: My own photo

Redwood Apartments Portage, under construction (~ $20 million?)
(general location)

Source: My own photo

IPUSA Spec. Building, under construction (~ $12 million?)
(general location)

Source: First & 42 | Greg Dilone

River Caddis Mixed-Use Development, proposed ($31 million)
(general location)

Source: MLive | Integrated Architecture / provided by City of Portage

Foxwood and The Hermitage expansion, proposed (~ $12 million?)
4670 Fox Valley Ave.

Source: WWMT | Pat Hagan, Jon McCrary

Woodbridge Hills Expansion, proposed (~ $12 million?)
(general location)

Source: City of Portage

Midwest Fastener Corp. Expansion, proposed ($11 million)
9031 Shaver Rd.

Source: LinkedIn | Wightman

Meijer Renovation, completed late 2022 ($40 million)
5121 S Westnedge Ave.

Source: Emily Reed | WWMT

Charles & Lynn Zhang Portage Community Senior Center, completed May 2022 ($11 million)
203 East Centre Ave.

Source: MLive | Joel Bissell

Portage District Library Remodel & Expansion, completed May 2022 ($13 million)
300 Library Lane

Source: My own photo (July 2021)

Portage Northern Natatorium, completed August 2021 ($12 million)
5808 Oregon Ave.

Source: C2AE

Meridian FedEx Distribution Center, completed December 2020 (~ $40 million?)
6701 Portage Rd.

Source: RE Business Online

Portage Community Outreach Center Remodel, completed November 2020 (~ $2.5 million?)
325 E Centre Ave

Source: My own photo

Replacement Fire Station No. 2, completed October 2020 ($6 million)
6101 Oakland Dr.

Source: LinkedIn | AVB

Portage Central Middle School, completed August 2020 (~ $33 million?)
8305 S Westnedge Ave.

Source: Portage Public Schools

Bronson Primary Care Partners, completed July 2020 (~ $6 million?)
2700 East Centre Ave.

Source: Bronson Health

Buddy's Pizza, completed July 2020 (~ $250,000?)
5314 S Westnedge Ave.

Source: WWMT / Newschannel 3

Stryker Instruments R&D Center, completed mid-2020 ($154 million)
1941 Stryker Way

Source: HOK

Celery Flats Trailhead Pavilion, completed summer 2019 (~ $600,000?)
7328 Garden Ln.

Source: Wightman

Portage North Middle School, completed August 2019 ($31 million)
1100 W Milham Ave.

Source: LinkedIn | C2AE / Jason Keen

Portage Central McCamley Field / Athletic Facilities, completed August 2019 
(~ $4 million?) 
8135 S Westnedge Ave.

Source: Facebook | Discover Kalamazoo Sports

Portage Northern Huskies Stadium / Athletic Facilities, completed August 2018 
($3 million) 
1000 Idaho Ave.

Source: C2AE

Portage Central Natatorium, completed summer 2018 ($9 million)
8135 S Westnedge Ave.

Source: C2AE

Pfizer Cold Storage Warehouse, completed February 2018 ($30 million)
7000 Portage Rd.

Source: My own photo

Oshtemo Township

Code:

WMU BTR Park Phase 2 Expansion, ongoing ($100+ million)
(general location)

Source: Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc.

Corner@Drake retail development, ongoing ($100+ million)
(general location)

Source: My own photo

FlavorSum Expansion, under construction ($10 million)
3680 Stadium Park Way

Source: Executive Office of the Governor / WWMT

Kalamazoo National Guard Armory Renovation, proposed ($5 million)
5353 Parkview Ave.

Source: WWMT | Maria Serrano

District No. 10 School House Rehabilitation, proposed (~ $1 million?)
near Stadium Dr. and 9th St.

Source: WMUK | Sehvilla Mann

Martin Luther King Jr. Park, proposed (~ $500,000)
(general location)

Source: MLive | City of Portage

Advia Credit Union HQ, completed late 2021 (~ $35 million?)
6400 West Main St.

Source: Joel Bissell | MLive

Ascension Borgess Cancer Center, completed September 2021 ($20 million)
(general location)

Source: Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc.

Consumers Credit Union, completed July 2020 (~ 2.8 million?)
5018 W Main St.

Source: My own photo

Bronson Primary Care Partners, completed July 2020 (~ $6 million?)
6210 W Main St.

Source: My own photo

Holiday Inn & Suites Kalamazoo West, completed fall 2019 (~ $16 million?)
1247 Westgate Dr.

Source: IHG

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kalamazoo West, completed summer 2019 (~ $12 million?)
1315 Westgate Dr.

Source: IHG

Natural Flavors (FlavorSum) Production Facility, completed c. 2018 (~ $14 million?)
3680 Stadium Park Way

Source: LinkedIn | Tower Pinkster

Kalamazoo Township

Code:

C&D Recycling Center, under construction ($4 million)
(general location)

Source: WWMT

KPS Transportation Center, completed August 2020 ($6.8 million)
1800 Ravine Rd.

Source: WWMT Newschannel 3 | Matt Miller

Kalamazoo County Animal Services & Enforcement Facility, completed November 2019 
($5 million)
1316 Lamont Ave.

Source: MLive | Joel Bissell



















...

Texas Township

Code:

Lofts on Q, under construction (~ $8 million?)
(general location)

Source: My own photo (10/2/23)

Bronson Outpatient Surgery Center, completed July 2023 ($19.3 million)
(general location)

Source: MiBiz | Courtesy Bronson

Camp Rota-Kiwan - a New Kalamazoo County Park, purchased March 2021 ($2 million)
(general location)

Source: Kalamazoo County (modified)

Bronson Primary Care Partners - 9th St, completed July 2020 (~ $6 million?)
5973 Beatrice Dr.

Source: Bronson Health

Bronson Primary Care Partners - Texas Corners, completed July 2020 (~ $6 million?)
8088 Vineyard Parkway

Source: Bronson Health

Comstock Township

Code:

Charles & Lynn Zhang Animal Care & Resource Center (Kalamazoo Humane Society), 
completed late 2020 (~ $5 million?) 
2272 River St.

Source: Byce & Associates

Fairfield Inn & Suites, completed April 2019 (~ $14 million?)
3303 Retail Place Drive

Source: My own photo

Morrow Generating Station, for sale ($1.44 million)
(general location)

Source: WKFR / Loren Souers | Kalamazoo Commercial Real Estate


















...

Emmett Township

Code:

FireKeepers Casino Expansion, completed August 2021 (~ $30+ million)
11177 E Michigan Ave. (Emmett Township)

Source: Battle Creek Enquirer | Courtesy Firekeepers Casino




















...

Richland Township

Code:

Gull Lake Community Schools 2018 Bond Projects, completed spring 2022 ($65 million)
Pictured: Gull Lake Community Schools Center for the Fine Arts (general location)

Source: 2018 Bond - Gull Lake Community Schools

Bronson Primary Care Partners, completed July 2020 (~ $6 million?)
8906 M-89

Source: Bronson Health






















...

Pavilion Township

Code:

Abbey42, under construction  ($65 million)
5283 East O Ave.

Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy Westwind Construction



















...

Ross Township

Code:

South Kitchen, completed November 2020 (~ $1 million?)
12454 E D Ave.

Source: Facebook | South Kitchen

























...

Village of Vicksburg

Code:

The Mill at Vicksburg, under construction ($85 million)
300 W Hwy St.

Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy The Mill at Vicksburg

New Municipal Building, under construction ($2.45 million)
(general location)

Source: MLive | Village of Vicksburg

Mackenzies Bakery, completed April 2022 (~ $500,000?)
103 E Prairie St

Source: Facebook | Mackenzies Bakery

Kalsee Credit Union remodel, completed late 2021 (~ $1.5 million?)
119 N Main St.

Source: LinkedIn | Kalsee Credit Union















...

Galesburg

Code:

KVRT Expansion (Campaign Connnect), proposed ($1 million)
(general location)

Source: WKZO | Courtesy Parks Foundation of Kalamazoo County

Bronson Primary Care Partners, completed July 2020 (~ $3 million?)
10310 Miller Dr.

Source: Bronson Health











...

Austinlee · #3 Posted **Mar 14, 2017, 2:14 AM**

Nice rundown.

deja vu · #4 Posted **Mar 15, 2017, 3:35 PM**

Thanks. I will keep expanding it, and hopefully get out and take some photos of my own once the deep freeze ends.

Here's an interesting little project that just wrapped up downtown:

Quote:

Walnut & Park coffee shop to open in downtown Kalamazoo
Al Jones, via MLive
March 02, 2017

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Walnut & Park is the name of a new coffee shop and cafe that is set to open Monday, March 6, in downtown Kalamazoo.

Located at 322 W. Walnut St. (the corner of Walnut & Park), the business is a project of the Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program and will put to work men and women who are participants in KPEP's culinary arts program.
KPEP is a private nonprofit residential and outpatient rehabilitation program that serves state and federal criminal offenders, probationers and parolees.

...

Image: Walnut & Park Coffee Shop Exterior
Image Source: MLive

deja vu · #5 Posted **Mar 16, 2017, 1:58 AM**

I took a brief walk after work today to try and capture some recent development. Because it was so bitterly cold, it quickly turned into more of a driving tour than a walking tour. Anyway, below are some random photos of current projects under construction in Kalamazoo and Portage, along with a few recently-completed projects. While walking and driving, I saw several projects that I forgot to include in the original project rundown, so I will be updating that shortly.

Please forgive the low image quality; I took these photos on my crappy iPhone 4, and it was getting near dusk, and I was in motion for most of them. But, enough excuses!

The Foundry
600 E. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo
(Phase 1, Under Construction)

The People's Food Co-op of Kalamazoo
507 Harrison St, Kalamazoo
(Opened 2011)

Old Douglass Community Center Building
NW corner of N. Pitcher and E. Ransom Streets, Kalamazoo

Not development, but hopefully being restored and repurposed soon.

Here's the same structure, in the 1960s:

Image Source: http://www.migenweb.org/kalamazoo/views.htm

Ministry with Community
440 N. Church St.
(Completed 2016)

This wonderful old Art Deco structure is right next door to the mothballed Old Douglass Community Center Building, and across the street from the new Ministry with Community.

New RX Optical Headquarters
S. Park St, Kalamazoo
(Under Construction)

New Family Health Center
Alcott St. - Edison Neighborhood, Kalamazoo
(Under Construction)

Portage Memory Care Living Facility
710 E. Centre Ave, Portage
(Under Construction)

the urban politician · #6 Posted **Mar 16, 2017, 2:45 AM**

Kalamazoo is perhaps just a tad more exciting than Battle Creek. But looking at those pics--typical Michigan.

deja vu · #7 Posted **Mar 16, 2017, 4:13 AM**

Updates have been made to the list of active projects at the top of this thread. Updates include:

New project listing & information for:

The Foundry - Phase 1
New Family Health Center Clinic
New RX Optical Headquarters Building

Additionally, all photos have been resized for consistency, and several more photos of active projects have been added.

deja vu · #8 Posted **Mar 16, 2017, 4:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Kalamazoo is perhaps just a tad more exciting than Battle Creek. But looking at those pics--typical Michigan.

Battle Creek...I need to explore there more. For being so close to each other, I feel like the two cities have very different characters. I thought about including Battle Creek in this new development thread, but then I thought it might be too much, at least to start with...

There is some bland infill around here, to be sure, but on the whole, it is exciting to see Kalamazoo's downtown slowly becoming denser, while lots of fringe areas (including several brownfield sites) are seeing renewed efforts at revitalization.

deja vu · #9 Posted **Mar 17, 2017, 10:12 PM**

I've updated the project rundown to include some more recently completed development. Because this forum is less than one week old, it wasn't around to capture all of these great projects when they were being built. That said, since they are part of the bigger story of development that has been happening here in recent years, I'm including them here for the record.

Completed projects that have been added are as listed below. Scroll to the top post to see images and more info for each. Much more to come.

Arcadia Brewing Company / Arcadia Ales
Borgess Brain and Spine Institute
Bronson Advanced Radiology - Diagnostics Lab and Imaging Center
Bronson Commons - New Post-Acute Care Facility
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan - Glowing Embers Council Program & Training Center
HARK Orchids, L.P. New Company Headquarters
KVCC / Bronson Healthy Living Campus - Food Innovation Building
Linden Grove Middle School - Kalamazoo Public Schools
Midlink Business Park - a massive business park conversion with over 1.6 million of SF in just two buildings
Miller Canfield New Office Building
Orrin B. Hayes Mercedes Benz Dealership
Stryker Corporate Headquarters
Stryker Instruments - Renovations to (2) of its buildings
Washington Writers’ Academy - Kalamazoo Public Schools
Western Michigan University - Richmond Center for Visual Arts
Western Michigan University - Valley Dining Center
Western Michigan University - Western View Apartments
Western Michigan University - WMed Innovation Center
750 Trade Centre
950 Trade Centre

deja vu · #10 Posted **Mar 18, 2017, 4:01 AM**

Article about a recent tax break that Stryker received.

Quote:

Stryker Instruments wins tax break from Portage for $154 million development
By Tom Haroldson | Special to MLive
March 15, 2017

PORTAGE, MI - Stryker Instruments has won a Portage tax break for its proposed $154 million research and development facility, and could begin construction in May with a completion anticipated by August 2019.

The Public Act 198 tax break for the 485,000 square foot facility at 6520 Portage Road was unanimously approved Tuesday by the Portage City Council. The company expects to retain 966 jobs and create an additional 105.

...

deja vu · #11 Posted **Mar 19, 2017, 2:27 PM**

Not exactly development-related news, but still an interesting story related to architecture. Kalamazoo has a lot of prominent examples of mid-century architecture, including an atypically large amount of Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes. However, I did not know about the George Nelson-designed Kirkpatrick House until I saw this article. At one time, George Nelson was the Director of Design for the Herman Miller furniture company. His studio had a heavy influence on furniture design during the 20th century.

Quote:

Jack White bought George Nelson’s Kalamazoo midcentury time capsule
By Lauren Ro, Curbed
via Realtor, The New Yorker
March 17, 2017

When this incredibly restored home by George Nelson first came on the market in Kalamazoo, Michigan last summer, we were awed by its beauty and more than a little envious about its eventual owner—especially since the home was offered at a screaming deal of $450,000.

Now we’ve come to learn that the lucky owner of the 1958-built house is none other than Jack White, rock musician extraordinaire, formerly of the White Stripes, and a native of Detroit...

Images Source: Curbed

deja vu · #12 Posted **Mar 22, 2017, 7:13 PM**

On a work break this morning, I walked around the site of the ongoing demolition of the former Kalamazoo Gazette building. Lots of activity, and demolition has progressed to the final portion of building to be removed. Ironically, this final area that is being demolished is actually the newest addition to the complex, having opened in 2004. The original building was designed by Albert Kahn and completed in 1925, with two other additions built in 1941 and 1968. Only the 1925 and 1941 portions will remain to be repurposed by Bronson Healthcare Group, as its downtown footprint expands.

All photos below are my own.

View from S. Burdick St:

View from John St:

That tower is not long for this world:

View from NE Corner of E Lovell St. and Henrietta St:

Close-up of Upper Ceiling:

Close-up of tower:

View from NW Corner of E Lovell St. and Henrietta St:

deja vu · #13 Posted **Mar 22, 2017, 7:27 PM**

Related to the previous post, I found some neat photos which show the process of removing the large clocks that were previously attached to the tower. Photo credit goes to Carly Geraci, at MLive. You can view more of photos, and read the accompanying article, here.

deja vu · #14 Posted **Mar 23, 2017, 9:21 PM**

WMU East Campus pulled from National Register of Historic Places

An interesting article was just released regarding the recent demolition (decimation?) that took place on Prospect Hill, the home of the original campus of Western Michigan University. Originally known as the Western State Normal School. In 2013 - 2014, three historic buildings were demolished (North Hall, West Hall, and the Speech & Hearing Building) and another was greatly altered (East Hall) to prepare for the creation of a new Alumni Center, which opened in 2015 in the remains of East Hall, and which is now referred to as Heritage Hall.

Quote:

WMU East Campus pulled from National Register of Historic Places
By Malachi Barrett, via MLive
March 22, 2017

KALAMAZOO, MI -- What was once called the "Acropolis of Kalamazoo" is no longer deemed worthy of historic recognition after renovations to Western Michigan University's East Campus. East Hall, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, and Western State Normal School Historic District, added in 1990, were stripped of their historic status by the National Park Service, effective March 7.

....

The project was controversial when it happened, and now, the NPS has revoked National Register status for the University's East Campus. This marks the first time ever in the history of the State Historic Preservation Review Board that a physical site visit was conducted by SHPRB to determine whether or not a listed property / area should remain listed after alterations were made. It seems like a blow, but the University's reaction to the news seemed rather nonchalant.

Images below are courtesy of WMU Archives and Regional History Collection, via MLive, unless noted otherwise. The article follows after the images.

East Hall, shortly after it opened in 1905:

East Hall, after the north and south wings were added, in 1908 and 1909:

The WMU Inclined Trolley, to access Prospect Hill from below (I had no idea until now that Kalamazoo had its own incline of sorts, at one time):

Two aerial views of Prospect Hill, showing the early WMU campus:

A similar aerial view from the recent past, when demolition was complete. The partially-demolished East Hall stands alone in the middle of the cleared area:

Image Source: Google Maps

WMU West Hall Demolition, June 2013:

Image Source: Mark Bugnaski / Kalamazoo Gazette, file

WMU Speech and Hearing Building Demolition, July 2013:

Image Source: Mark Bugnaski / Kalamazoo Gazette, file

WMU East Hall Demolition of South Wing, July 2014:

Image Source: Mark Bugnaski / Kalamazoo Gazette, file

Protester's graffiti at the construction site, in September 2014:

Image Source: Mark Bugnaski / Kalamazoo Gazette, file

Heritage Hall Alumni Center / Former East Hall as it looks today:

Image Source: Tower Pinkster

Read the Full Article, and see some pretty great historic photos, here.

The North One · #15 Posted **Mar 24, 2017, 12:08 AM**

Why on earth would they do that?!

Fucking idiots, WMU can go to hell.

deja vu · #16 Posted **Mar 24, 2017, 3:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The North One

Why on earth would they do that?!

Fucking idiots, WMU can go to hell.

Someone usually makes the argument that money is a factor - too expensive to maintain, too expensive to repurpose... Or that a structure can't be brought into communion with the expressed future goals of an organization. Those reasons usually sound like half-truths, excuses to explain away the most obvious of conclusions that good buildings and good spaces should be celebrated and preserved whenever possible.

It's fortunate that Kalamazoo has an active historic commission, and from what I know, a pretty good track record at repurposing and preserving historic structures. It's just too bad that this one got away. The original campus really projected the 'city on a hill' aesthetic that so many universities embodied. That cohesive massing of buildings around a central quad is now mainly a parking lot. At least one small part of it remains.

deja vu · #17 Posted **Mar 25, 2017, 4:47 AM**

$2M PlazaCorp redevelopment to create 30 jobs in downtown Kalamazoo
By Malachi Barrett, via MLive
March 23, 2017

Quote:

KALAMAZOO, MI -- An affiliate of PlazaCorp intends to invest $2 million to redevelop a contaminated manufacturing site in downtown Kalamazoo.

PS 383 LLC bought two parcels at 381 and 383 South Pitcher Street in January 2016. According to county documents, it plans to clean up contaminates at the brownfield site then renovate an existing building to lease to an unnamed automotive performance shop and create office space for up to four tenants.

...

deja vu · #18 Posted **Mar 25, 2017, 3:26 PM**

According to the recently released US Census Data for county-wide population changes between 2010 and 2016, Kalamazoo County faired well. The population increased from 250,331 in 2010 to 261,654 in 2016 - a gain of about 11,323 persons, or about 4.3% growth since 2010. This puts Kalamazoo in with the 35 of 83 Michigan counties that are going against the statewide trend of population decline. It's great news for the area, and a strong indicator of the healthy economy in southwest Michigan.

Image Source: MLive

Another interesting thing that I observed, looking at the above graph portrayal of population change since 1900, Kalamazoo County has not once experienced a decline in population at the county level, for each decade when Census data was recorded. To put it another way, the growth in the county has trended positively for at least the past 116 years of US census data recording. At a glance, I count only four other counties in the entire State that can make this claim.

Kent County - home of Grand Rapids (current peak population 642,173)
Muskegon County - Home of Muskegon (current peak population 173,408)
Oakland County - Detroit Metro area (current peak population 1,243,970)
Ottawa County - home of Holland & Grand Haven (current peak population 282,250)

This might not mean much, taken over the course of 100+ years of data, but I find it very interesting that four of the five counties that have never had a population decline when measured by the decade since 1900 are located in western / southwestern Michigan. Oakland County is the only exception.

You can see the charts and data for each county at this MLive article:

How every Michigan county's population has changed over the past 100 years

deja vu · #19 Posted **Mar 26, 2017, 2:07 PM**

It's not every day that the City of Kalamazoo creates a new administrative position in the planning department.

Quote:

New assistant city manager to focus on Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence
By Malachi Barrett, via Mlive
March 21, 2017

KALAMAZOO, MI -- City Manager Jim Ritsema announced meetings focused on Kalamazoo's use of $10 million in donations from local philanthropists, and a new administrative position dedicated to the Foundation for Excellence.

Commissioners will meet at a 6 p.m. work session on March 27 to discuss ending generational poverty and increasing youth development opportunities with $10 million earmarked for "aspirational projects." Ritsema also announced a meeting at 6 p.m. on April 10 focused on the Foundation for Excellence, which includes a permanent endowment fund the city seeks to use to sustain an initial $70.3 million donation after three years. The April meeting will also discuss projects and programs identified through the Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 master planning process.

...

Image Source: MLive

You can link to the full article here.

deja vu · #20 Posted **Mar 27, 2017, 1:18 PM**

Happy Oberon Day!

For those who don't know, today is basically an official holiday in Kalamazoo, marking the release of the 2017 batch of Bell's most popular craft beer - Oberon (as well as the less-official start of spring around here). Tapping parties began at midnight around the city, state, and even other parts of the country / globe. The tapping at Bell's Eccentric Café, the center of the Bell's universe, was a few minutes ago, at 9:00AM, EST (which is where many of my less responsible but certainly happier coworkers are right now).

If you're wondering how this is at all development related, Bell's has invested tens of millions of dollars into both its downtown location and its main brewing facilities in nearby Comstock in recent years, and has basically had everything to do with catalyzing the craft beer movement in this region.

To compliment your Oberon, you can always stop by Sweetwater's Donut Mill, open 24/7, and grab an Oberon-Inspired donut. They frankly look gross to me, but I've never tried one, so I shouldn't judge.

Source: MLive

Image: Oberon Donuts, at Sweetwaters Donut Mill
Source: John Gonzalez, via Twitter