KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — Downtown Kalamazoo may be about to experience the biggest building boom its seen in decades, as construction appears to be imminent at the corner of Rose and Michigan.
That’s where “The Exchange” will be going up. The project has apparently overcome financial issues and undergone design changes.
The current proposal is for a 15-story multi-use high rise with residential, commercial and retail space, and several floors of parking.
Also proposed to be built downtown; a new boutique hotel behind the Rose Street Market, a new Kalamazoo County Courthouse and Administration Building on Kalamazoo Avenue, next to a new parking ramp.
A developer is also planning a new residential and commercial development on Park Street behind the Federal Court House, and the current County Courthouse that overlooks Bronson Park would also be remodeled and put to some new use.
While the County and several developers have big plans for new construction projects downtown, City planners are spending two sessions at the Rose St. Market getting input from residents on the smaller projects that will make downtown more user friendly.
City Planner Rebekah Kik says it’s the final Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 neighborhood meetings before they do some polling and focus groups.
They will present their final reports to the City Commission in June.
Kik says residents want a more accessible downtown with fewer one way streets and more bike lanes, trails and racks.
This afternoon at 4:00 they will review the plans for downtown that were sketched out last night and make revisions if necessary.
The Mayor will talk about the larger Imagine Kalamazoo effort at 6pm at the Rose St. Market.
