KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Some streets in Downtown Kalamazoo are one step closer to being converted to a two-way format, thanks to a decision made by Kalamazoo City Commissioners Monday night.
During a virtual meeting, Commissioners signed off on a number of construction projects, including the work on downtown streets.
According to city documents, the work for Phase 2 of this project involves a study to determine which streets would be the most ideal to convert into a two-way format, rather than a one-way.
An approval of this agenda item would approve a professional service agreement with CDM Smith in the amount of $289,840 for Phase 2 of the Downtown Streets Project. Officials say CDM Smith has already performed Phase 1 of the study, which ended with the selection of a preferred alternative.
The funds for this projects have already been made available in the 2021 Major Streets Capital Improvement fund, which in turn were available from releases of excess budgets from other projects, according to the city.
Documents further explain what Phase 2 would entail –
“The City of Kalamazoo has undertaken this study as part of an effort to re-purpose the right-of-way for a combination of one-way street conversions to two-way, right-sizing of roadway and/or incorporation of street side amenities (on-street parking, bike lanes, cycle tracks, curb side dining, etc.) to establish a downtown look-and-feel to match the City’s goals for all users.
The project will include identifying 2-way conversation phasing, concept design, and administration for the effort. Travel demand, safety, and intersection analysis will be performed as a part of this effort in determining best approaches to converting the 1-way streets to 2-way streets. This is the first step in actual design towards Downtown Street Conversion.”
The item, which was on the commission consent agenda, was ultimately approved by the commissioners.
The next phase of the project is now expected to start, with periodic updates from city staff.
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