KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) – Downtown Kalamazoo has grown from a commercial center where they used to have to beg to get businesses to locate, to one where developers are driving all the growth. Last night City Commissioners received a summary from DDA director Andrew Haan on the community’s plan to keep that going.
They want to work with developers to not only build buildings, but get them to help build the community. That means getting them to provide jobs and opportunities for local entrepreneurs to grow businesses.
It involves recruiting retailers, providing a one-stop service for developers to get all the assistance they need from the city to obtain permits, guidance on taxes and other services.
It also means coming up with new ways to finance and subsidize housing, especially for low income residents.
It also involves turning one way streets into two way streets downtown, improving parking and finding the funding to do that too.
