KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Tuesday, Kalamazoo-based Treystar and its partners, Catalyst Development and the City of Kalamazoo, announced that work is continuing toward the completion of Haymarket Plaza, and that a crowdsourced community campaign has been fully met.
Running along the north side of East Michigan Avenue, between the Main Street East buildings and the 180 Water Street project, the plaza is named after the historic Haymarket District where it is located. Officials say it will create gathering opportunities for the community and businesses.
The plaza was initiated as a result of the construction of Catalyst Development’s 275,000-square-foot mixed-use project adjacent to Treystar’s Main Street East office development on the 200 block of Michigan Avenue.
The two projects share the public alley, formerly known as Ihling Alley, stretching some 350 feet from Edwards Street westward before ending at the Haymarket Building.
Memories Bridal and Evening Wear, located at 203 East Michigan Avenue, and the adjacent property at 215 East Michigan will also be a part of the endeavor.
Designed by Tower Pinkster Architects with assistance from Kingscott Associates, the Haymarket Plaza includes a snow-melt system that has already been embedded in the newly poured concrete.
Decorative concrete, lighting, and Landscape Forms furniture will be added next year, as well as two projection-mapping projectors designed to display art, announcements and entertainment on the north east elevation of the Haymarket Building. Those projections will primarily occur in the evenings.
An aerial rendering of the completed Haymarket Plaza project with image projection on the Haymarket building. (Photo courtesy of Treystar).
Once completed, the plaza will serve as an open area designed for entertainment and/or food trucks, and an outdoor seating area for food and beverages.
Officials add that part of this project will be funded through Public Spaces Community Places, a crowdfunding organization. This collaborative program organized by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity matches community-raised funds with matching grants from the MEDC to encourage strategic development projects.
The campaign exceeded its $50,000 goal on August 31 as 25 patrons pledged $53,960 towards the project. As a result, the MEDC will provide $50,000 in matching grant funds towards the approximate $125,000 project.
Significant donors include The Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership and Southwest Michigan First, among others.
“While we are disappointed with the pandemic-related delays, the Haymarket Plaza project will be completed thanks to our great partners and community support,” Fritz Brown of Treystar said in a statement. “We are grateful to work alongside Catalyst and the City of Kalamazoo, and are confident that once finished, the Haymarket Plaza will be worth the wait. It will be a destination for relaxation and community gatherings to those who live and work in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo.”
Completion is expected within 2021. Treystar and its project partners will announce open houses for real estate brokers and the community as the development nears completion.
More information about the project can be found here.
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