Arcadia Creek Stormwater Management

  • Project value$5.8 million (Phase 0)
  • Project scheduleJune - November 30, 2025 (Phase 0)
Map of the Arcadia Creek Floodplain that will be elminated with support from PROTECT Grant

The City of Kalamazoo is launching a transformative, multi-year project to rebuild and increase the capacity of Arcadia Creek. This effort will reduce the risk of flooding, protect local infrastructure, and support sustainable growth in the heart of the city.

Thanks to a $38 million PROTECT Grant from the Federal Highway Administration and a $5.8 million investment from the developers of the new event center, this project will make our community more resilient to increasingly frequent and severe storms. Kalamazoo's grant is the largest award of the 80 PROTECT grants issued nationwide.

Much of Arcadia Creek currently flows through underground infrastructure, some of which dates back to the 1880s. This aging system is no longer equipped to handle the intense and more frequent storms Kalamazoo is experiencing due to climate change.

The redesign will:

  • Increase stormwater capacity to help prevent flooding
  • Remove approximately 60 acres and 70 structures from the FEMA-designated floodplain
  • Modernize underground infrastructure
  • Daylight portions of the creek to improve water quality and the local environment 
  • Create safer, more accessible pedestrian connections through the area

When complete, the project will not only remove the threat of flooding in key areas, it will also support redevelopment and infrastructure improvements across the city.

Map of the Arcadia Creek Floodplain that will be elminated with support from PROTECT Grant

Phased Construction

The work will be completed in phases, moving westward from downtown Kalamazoo to Oliver Street by 2028. This phased approach ensures minimal disruption while maximizing coordination with other major improvements in the area, including the new event center and the remaining work on the Michikal Street project.

"Phase 0" Expected to Start in June 2025 

The first phase of work, called Phase 0, is being led by the developers of the new event center and is expected to begin in June 2025, ahead of the PROTECT Grant-funded phases. In Phase 0, the floodplain areas formerly in Westnedge Ave are being moved to the west right-of-way line of Westnedge with flood inlet grates at Eleanor and Michikal. This phase also includes upsizing the water and sewer main beneath the street. 

Long-Term Impact

This project builds on past work to improve Arcadia Creek, including similar floodplain removal efforts completed downtown in the early 1990s. With this next chapter, Kalamazoo is taking a bold step toward a more resilient, sustainable future. By rebuilding Arcadia Creek, we are not only addressing urgent infrastructure needs, we’re also laying the foundation for environmental restoration, economic development, and stronger connections between our neighborhoods and downtown.

Traffic Detour During Construction

To safely complete construction during Phase 0, Westnedge Avenue will be fully closed between Kalamazoo Avenue and Michigan Avenue during the project. Traffic will be detoured via Michikal Street to Michigan Avenue. Signage will be posted to guide drivers and help minimize disruption. Access to local businesses and residences will be maintained.

We appreciate your patience as we complete this important work to reduce flooding and protect Kalamazoo’s infrastructure for the future.

 

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