322 E Stockbridge Redevelopment
- Project schedule2025-2028
The City of Kalamazoo acquired the nearly 15-acre site at 322 E Stockbridge Avenue using Foundation for Excellence site acquisition funds. This unique parcel, formerly home to the Department of Health and Human Services and a bingo hall (now demolished), is in the Edison neighborhood and near key community assets such as Upjohn Park and Kik Pool, the Kalamazoo Farmers Market, Washington Square retail, and the Family Health Center, plus major employers like Bronson and Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
With its size, central location, and proximity to jobs and amenities, the site is an exceptional opportunity to bring new life and much-needed housing to the Edison neighborhood in a way that reflects community priorities and neighborhood character.
Project Vision
The City envisions 322 E Stockbridge as a walkable, inclusive neighborhood that blends seamlessly into the fabric of the Edison community. This future neighborhood will connect with the surrounding street grid, offering a mix of housing types and price points that support residents through every stage of life, from young adults to growing families to seniors. Thoughtful design will prioritize green space, parks, and integrated storm water infrastructure, while echoing the architectural character and block patterns that define the neighborhood today. This vision is rooted in the Edison Neighborhood Plan(PDF, 7MB), the Kalamazoo County Housing Plan, and shaped by continued community input through Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 and Imagine Kalamazoo 2035.
Planning & Design
Planning for this site has been grounded in comprehensive studies of environmental conditions, housing needs, infrastructure, and floodplain considerations. The site currently consists of nearly 10 acres of impermeable surface including a large parking lot and the old DHS building, contributing to localized flooding in the area. By removing this pavement and building footprint, and reshaping the land, the City can restore natural flood storage and reduce flood risk. Plans also include the cleanup and replacement of contaminated soils, a necessary step for safe residential use.
To guide development, the team used a mix of pre-approved housing plans ranging from single-family homes to duplexes and quadplexes to ensure compatibility with the neighborhood and offer affordability and design consistency. Infrastructure planning accounts for the need to extend utilities and build new roads across what was previously a single-use, disconnected site. A storm water easement through the middle of the site and floodplain along the east and south edges have been carefully integrated into the proposed designs through the use of green infrastructure and reconstructed wetland areas.
Proposed Options (July 2025)
Two development concepts have been created, both of which include a mix of multi-family buildings, single-family homes, and “missing middle” housing types like duplexes, fourplexes, and accessory dwelling units. Option A proposes approximately 200 housing units, while Option B offers around 143 units. Option A features a centralized green space surrounded by higher-density housing types, with multi-family buildings located toward the north end of the site. Option B includes a broader distribution of open space but fewer housing units overall. Despite the difference in total unit count, both options connect to the street grid to integrate the site into the surrounding neighborhood, support active transportation, and avoid a disconnected cul-de-sac development.
Mitigating Flooding
Flooding has been a long-standing concern in the area around 322 E Stockbridge. As part of the planning for future development, efforts are underway to improve drainage and reduce flood risk. The City is coordinating closely with the Army Corps of Engineers to address challenges related to the existing floodplain near Portage Creek. Planned improvements also include regrading parts of the site and incorporating green infrastructure to slow and manage runoff, including storing rainwater on site. Removing the 30,000 square foot vacant building and large parking lot will eliminate nearly 10 acres of impervious surfaces, allowing for more natural infiltration of storm water. These strategies will not only to support new housing but also help mitigate flooding for nearby homes.
What's Next
The project is still in its planning and concept development phase. Site studies, environmental assessments, housing market analysis, and design concepts have been completed. The City has used pre-approved housing plans (some of which have already been built successfully in other neighborhoods) to create realistic and cost-effective development scenarios. However, critical steps remain before construction can begin, including community engagement, securing funding for infrastructure and site remediation, and finalizing a development framework.
The next phase will involve robust community engagement to gather feedback on the two design options and guide decisions on key elements like street connectivity and housing mix. This input will shape the final development plan. In the near term, the City will also focus on environmental cleanup, securing funding for infrastructure improvements, and developing partnerships to implement the plan. While timelines will depend on funding and community input, the City aims to move into site preparation and infrastructure work once these foundational steps are complete. The redevelopment of this site is not an overnight process, but a phased effort that starts with a clear, community-supported plan and builds toward long-term neighborhood revitalization.
Location
322 E Stockbridge Ave, Kalamazoo 49001 View Map
42.2764609,-85.5783347
322 E Stockbridge Ave ,
Kalamazoo 49001
322 E Stockbridge Ave ,
Kalamazoo 49001
322 E Stockbridge Redevelopment