KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Nearly every seat was filled last night as the city of Kalamazoo held the first of two citizen workshops setting the groundwork for future development in the city.
It was the beginning of Phase Two of the “Imagine Kalamazoo 2025” master planning process, which will culminate next spring with recommendations for the city commission.
City Planner Laura Lam was pleased with the turnout. She said residents want improved amenities and access.
“For pedestrians and cyclists, for a lot of non-motorized options, expanding transit, so we definitely see a lot in that realm,” Lam said. “We certainly see a lot about housing, about different types of housing options throughout the downtown and throughout the neighborhoods.”
She said open spaces are also always a big priority.
Giving a boost to the effort is the proposed Foundation for Excellence Grant, which may give the City the funding it needs to actually make some of its dreams come true, which was not the case when the planning process began.
A second workshop is planned for Oct. 27 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Lake Street in the Edison Neighborhood.
