KALAMAZOO / PORTAGE / BATTLE CREEK | Development Thread

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by subterranean

Wait, Kalamazoo has a Trader Joe’s and Lansing doesn’t? Hahahaha

Yea. When Trader Joe's opened a year and half ago, it was a big deal. But then again, Lansing has a Whole Foods, and not even Grand Rapids can boast that. Our next closest Whole Foods is in South Bend.

Originally Posted by subterranean

Also, we have a lot of Mod Pizzas out here and I really like them. Any toppings you want for the same price. Also, the ONLY pizza place I’ve found in Portland that offers green olives as a topping.

Absolutely. It's a good business plan and will surely succeed in any college town, like Kalamazoo. My wife gets the green olives (I can't stand them). We went for the soft opening which was under-publicized, and everything that day was entirely free. Then a few weeks later they did "Pay-What-You-Want" Saturday, and all the money went to charity. They carry a small but decent selection of alcoholic drinks too.

Crain's just posted an article (really a compilation of reports) about Kalamazoo's support of entrepreneurs...

Crain's Michigan Business Special Report: Kalamazoo
January 13, 2018

Kalamazoo is making strides in its support for entrepreneurs. This year, Western Michigan University plans to break ground on a major expansion of its research park that will create a cluster of high-tech companies and potentially hundreds of jobs. A new network of angel investors affiliated with Michigan’s most established investor group is funding new growth. The result? Tech that will shape the future made right here in Michigan, from flexible sensors for sports helmets to machining innovations and connected home technologies...

[deja vu]

Catalyst 12, from today. They are moving fast and it's quite a sea of concrete columns now. They are backfilling the area where the parking deck ramp will be poured. I think this building is going to seem massive, compared to the 3-4 story, 1880's-era stuff along Michigan Ave.















Also noticed that this former church along Portage Street in the Edison Neighborhood is slowly being fixed up. But I don't know what the plan is for the building use.

[deja vu]

This is a prominent corner on the northside that is primed for redevelopment. I sorta wish it would turn into something other than a few tiny houses.

Affordable tiny home neighborhood planned in Kalamazoo
Malachi Barrett | MLive
January 20, 2019

KALAMAZOO, MI -- A local social service organization is planning a tiny home neighborhood for people with criminal backgrounds or substance abuse issues. Construction will begin this spring on six 400-square-foot homes and a leasing office at the corner of North Street and Westnedge Avenue in the Northside neighborhood. HOPE Thru Navigation founder Gwendolyn Hooker said the project aims to stabilize vulnerable populations while addressing the city’s affordable housing shortfall. A capital campaign will kickoff in January to raise $350,000 for the project. The site includes a vacant lot and a 2,880-square-foot building that will be demolished before construction begins in the spring...

[deja vu]

We are getting renderings now for the redevelopment of the site that once was home to the Klover Gold Creamery. Closed in 1997 having being in business for almost 80 years, the site is now being sold to Hollander Development Corp. for $65,000. The planned development is called simply, "The Creamery" and is intended to provide 48 1 and 2-BR units. 15 of those would be designed for 30% area median income, and the remaining would be for 70 to 120% area median income. Also included would be about 7,500 SF of ground floor commercial, to include a 1,500 SF business incubator space. Hollander Development Corp. itself reportedly plans to relocate five workers to a new office here.

This would be right near Washington Square, the center of revitalization efforts for the Edison Neighborhood. I think the design looks good, and appropriate to the area in scale, massing, and materials. I can't post photos right now for some reason (I blame the polar vortex), but you can see the renderings at the link below - EDIT - I was able to get the images to work now.

Edison Neighborhood looks forward to The Creamery with its mix of residential and business spaces
Al Jones | Second Wave Media
January 31, 2019

Kids had to walk past the vacant and run down Klover Gold Creamery Co. buildings at Portage and Lake streets to get to the Washington Square Branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library. Kelly Clarke pictured them coming from the Boys & Girls Club at 915 Lake St. She didn’t like the idea of boys and girls having to make their way past potentially dangerous buildings. So she’s happy the Edison Neighborhood Association, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and, her organization, the Kalamazoo County Land Bank, spearheaded their demolition in 2011. And she’s even happier that a developer’s plan to build a 48-unit apartment and commercial structure is moving along on the 1.3-acre parcel at the southeast corner of Portage and Lake streets...

Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy Hollander Development Corp. / Byce & Associates

[deja vu]

A quick photo of the new Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, nearing completion. This is near the Sprinkle Road / I-94 junction. It's pretty simple, but not terrible, as far as these hotel designs go.

[uaarkson]

This garbage has been scarring Michigan's landscape for years. The amount of new hotel construction around freeway exits in the last two years especially, is shocking.

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by uaarkson

This garbage has been scarring Michigan's landscape for years. The amount of new hotel construction around freeway exits in the last two years especially, is shocking.

I'll add that this is the back view, which is slightly more utilitarian than the front, but point taken.

Have you driven around the I-94 / US-127 interchange, near Jackson lately? That area is a good example of this phenomenon. It's crazy how many brands and new standalone hotels have popped up there in the past 2 years alone.

[deja vu]

Yesterday at Catalyst, pouring the first part of the parking deck ramp -

[DetroitSky]

Some downtown Battle Creek updates:

Heritage Tower – 25 W Michigan Avenue
The iconic tower in the heart of the downtown will soon be brought back to life. The once thriving bank will feature office and retail space, as well as apartments. The construction on the Heritage tower has already begun and is a visible sign of all the changes happening downtown.

New Holland Brewing Company – 64 W Michigan Avenue
From its beginning as a JCPenney in 1926, 64 W Michigan Avenue will transform to the newest site of New Holland Brewing, one of Michigan’s most popular craft brewpubs. New Holland’s Summer 2019 project will convert an abandoned building into a vibrant brewery, restaurant and beer garden.

Record Box – 15 Carlyle Street
Local community developer, Restore (269), will bring life back to a historic riverfront building as a downtown destination. The project, projected to be completed in Summer 2019, will transform an abandoned building into a multi-use space. The building will be home to a river view office space, third-floor event space, and a craft brewery with outdoor seating.

Battle Rock – 50 W Michigan Avenue
Built in 1959 to replace worn down buildings and used as a JCPenney’s until the 1980’s, 50 W Michigan Avenue will be given new life as a state of the art climbing gym. The local owners are undertaking a significant renovation, including removing and rebuilding the back portion of the building to make space for the height needed to accommodate a climbing gym. The project will be ongoing starting in Winter 2019.

McCamly Plaza Hotel – 50 Capital Avenue SW
McCamly Plaza Hotel will officially become a Hilton DoubleTree Branded hotel in 2019. After extensive renovations, the number of hotel rooms will be reduced from 239 to 179. The lower floor will now be home to approximately 50 apartment units. Renovations are expected to be completed in the Fall of 2019.

[deja vu]

^ Battle Creek is really shaping up to have a stellar year. I think 2019 in Battle Creek will feel somewhat akin to how 2018 felt in Kalamazoo. There won't be any tower cranes, but the amount of construction and remodeling compared to the previous ten years will be very noticeable. I should be able to get a tour of Heritage Tower soon, and will post photos if / when that happens.

[deja vu]

Public monies to the tune of $10.8 million are approved for the planned Hilton Hotel(s) development downtown. This article also clarifies that the two hotels will be a 118-room Hilton Garden Inn and a 107-room extended stay Home2 Suites. Does not discuss construction start date, but this is a good step.

State approves $10.8M for Hilton hotel in downtown Kalamazoo
Malachi Barrett | MLive
February 27, 2019

KALAMAZOO, MI -- A $44 million hotel project in downtown Kalamazoo received millions of dollars in funding from the state of Michigan. The Michigan Strategic Fund approved $3.4 million in local and school tax capture and a $7.45 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based loan Tuesday. PlazaCorp Realty Advisors Inc., under the name Kzoo Hotel Partners LLC, plans to redevelop the historic six-story Rose Street Market building and an adjacent surface parking lot...

[deja vu]

They are beginning to install formwork for the first concrete beams at the Catalyst site.

2/26/19


2/27/19

[deja vu]

I'd really hate to see this building bite the dust...so much history, and such great architecture. But the nuns are not too concerned with those things. Their legacy is through their services, not their physical property (according to them). Not sure I agree, but it is a tough scenario to tell them what they can and can't do with their property, when they have done so much for the community. I just wish there was a way to save it all.

Historic designation could save Nazareth motherhouse from deconstruction
Malachi Barrett | MLive
February 27, 2019

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Creating a Kalamazoo historic district on land owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph could prevent a historic motherhouse from being deconstructed, but sisters said it would strip control from the congregation. Tuesday, the city of Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission solicited comments regarding a new local historic district covering buildings on the former Nazareth College campus. The move would add requirements when changing distinctive buildings associated with significant contributions to the history of Kalamazoo, though representatives of the sisters said it would interfere with their plans for the site...

[robk1982]

Kzoo by Rob K, on Flickr

[DetroitSky]

^ Nice photo! Where'd you take that from?

[robk1982]

Originally Posted by DetroitSky

^ Nice photo! Where'd you take that from?

WMU's Heritage Hall (formerly East Hall).

[deja vu]

That's a good vantage point. The Exchange really bulks up the little skyline.

Here's some quick drive-by shots of the 400 Rose apartment development. They are beginning to frame part of the 2nd floor now.

[DetroitSky]

Developers try again for tax credit on low-income housing project

NoMi Developers LLC and Nickel Spitters LLC are working together on the project under the name Harrison Circle Limited Dividend Housing Association Limited Partnership. The partners are trying to secure low-income housing tax credits and mortgage financing through MSHDA.

The city already signed off on the tax credit in 2018, but the project did not receive state support. Developers will submit a revised application to MSHDA for the April funding round and needed approval of a new city resolution to prove support at the local level.

Commissioner David Anderson said he expected the project, which he called a “slam dunk” to easily receive MSHDA support, but it failed due to inaccuracies in the application. Anderson, who is also director of housing and facilities for Kalamazoo County’s mental health authority, said NoMi does “quality work."

[deja vu]

^ I can't imagine that it will not get approved. I continue to hope / believe that it will turn out looking better than the representative rendering.

On the eastside, the plans for the gateway project along East Main continue to materialize. Last fall, there was a 2-day fast build for the first of several small homes on long-vacant, highly-visible parcels. Now there is some more information on plans for the
Eastside Gateway Pocket Park, which will include a labyrinth and other features, and will begin construction this Spring.

Eastside Gateway Pocket Park, labyrinth and mural to honor Eastside Voices in Kalamazoo
Theresa Coty O'Neil | Second Wave Media

The time-lapse of the fast-build is pretty impressive to watch. More about the Eastside Gateway Project.

• Video Link


Source: Kalamazoo Land Bank | In-Form Architecture


Source: Second Wave Media | In-Form Architecture

[deja vu]

County officials approved the Vicksburg Mill project Wednesday night. Now it moves into the hands of the Michigan Economic Development Center. That MEDC approval is anticipated by early July, which would allow for more tax credits that are essential to kickstarting the development. In total, there is about $30 million in State tax incentives that are being chased (to go toward brownfield cleanup efforts). The entire project is expected to cost at least $80 million, and take 4 - 5 years to complete. In reality, I think it will cost more and take longer, even if all approvals and tax credits that are sought come through.

Kalamazoo County Commission approves 'The Mill' project at old Vicksburg paper mill
WWMT Newschannel 3
March 7, 2019

VICKSBURG, Mich. — The Kalamazoo County Commission gave the green light to a major redevelopment project at the old Vicksburg paper mill. Community members weighed in Wednesday night at the commission meeting about Paper City Development LLC's plans for "The Mill." The $50 million project includes a brewery, hotel and concert venue. Commissioners ultimately voted to approve the project at the paper mill, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places but has sat vacant since 2001...

$80M project to redevelop Vicksburg mill seeks crucial tax incentives
Malachi Barrett | MLive
March 8, 2019

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Developers hope their big project in a small village will be the second to receive state tax breaks under a relatively new transformational brownfield incentive. The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, March 6, approved a 190-page transformational brownfield plan for an $80 million rehabilitation of the Lee Paper Mill in Vicksburg. The plan, which still needs final approval from the Michigan Strategic Fund and the state’s Department of Environmental Quality, seeks to use state and local taxes to reimburse remediation efforts at the blighted and contaminated property off East W Avenue...