KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo city residents got their first look at initial plans for the complete reconstruction of Michigan Avenue downtown last evening.
Four lanes of two-way traffic coming off Stadium Drive would be reduced to three lanes of two-way traffic on the west end of Michigan.
City planner Christina Anderson says that could change. After these early sessions, designers will modify the plan to address concerns and come back with revisions this summer.
After more public input, final plans would be drafted.
There is a long list of changes, wider sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes, trees, landscaping and diagonal parking along what had been four lanes of one-way traffic.
The plan relies on getting most drivers who currently use Michigan Avenue as a throughway, to find an alternative route around downtown.
The draft plan will soon be posted online, along with a video mock-up of how it would work.
The next opportunity to comment on the plan will be on the 23th, next Thursday, when a virtual town hall meeting is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m.
Construction isn’t scheduled to begin on Michigan Avenue for another two years. They will be focusing this year and next on the reconstruction of Kalamazoo Avenue. Those plans are already past the public input stage.
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