KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Planners are slated to meet with the community and protesting environmentalists at the Oshtemo Township Hall on Thursday to talk about a controversial expansion of Western Michigan University’s Business Technology and Research Park onto Colony Farm Orchard property near U.S. 131.
The meeting will get underway at 6 p.m.
Jennifer Waugh with Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr and Huber, the design firm selected for the project, says they want to hear from neighbors before drawing up blueprints.
“We want to make sure that it reflects the community, that we’re sustainable and that we’re good stewards of the neighborhood and the environment,” Waugh said.
After the meeting, the input will be categorized and reviewed. Architects will then get to work.
“In about three months, we’re thinking about mid-February, we’re going to have another public input session so we can present a conceptual design,” Waugh said.
Construction should start in 2016. The project should be finished by June 2017.
– Anthony Pollreisz
