KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo’s Galilee Baptist Church plans to break ground later this year on a $ 7 million housing project they hope will deal with the city’s housing shortage.
The plan is to construct two three-story apartment buildings on land across from the church on Westnedge Avenue. The buildings would be mixed use, with retail businesses on the first floors and apartments above that. Also included would be parking, green space, and a playground.
Galilee Baptist Church Rev. Michael T. Scott Sr. says the board of the church’s nonprofit organization, Counting To One Ministries, is working on plans that will allow the property to be affordable to low-income families and individuals. He says they haven’t yet decided how many apartment units will be available in each building, or what city, state, and federal resources might be available to help with construction costs and make the development financially viable.
The apartment buildings will use more than half of the land in the 1100 to 1200 block of North Westnedge Avenue, across from the church. Galilee baptist Church purchased the property, the former location of the North Westnedge Church of Christ, in 2021. That Church of Christ has relocated to 2705 Virginia Avenue and is now called the Virginia Avenue Church of Christ.
Zone 32, is a mixed-use housing development with a child care center at 815 North Pitcher Street in the Northside neighborhood, opened in January through a partnership with the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo.
Comments