KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The city of Kalamazoo has a budget for 2024, but after 11th hour complaints from citizens, one major funding item was yanked.
A proposal to use $1.65-million in federal COVID-19 dollars to completely revamp the Arcadia Creek Festival Park drew fire from a number of residents who say that money should be spent helping the unhoused.
The city’s plans are to cut the downtown festival site in half and repurpose the north half near Kalamazoo Avenue, for housing.
Commissioners Decker, Cooney, and Hoffman, who were unaware of the proposal, agreed with the residents.
City Manager Jim Ritsema says they will revisit the proposal when he can have staff available to explain the plan to Commissioners, which he says could leverage another $2.2-million for park improvements.
The rest of the city’s $288-million budget passed unanimously.
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