Arcadia Creek Flood Resilience Project

The Arcadia Creek Flood Resilience Project is a multi-year effort to reduce flooding, modernize aging infrastructure, improve water quality, and strengthen Kalamazoo's resilience to severe weather.

Arcadia Creek currently flows through a network of underground infrastructure west of downtown, including some sections that date back to the 1880s. As storms become more frequent and intense, portions of this aging system no longer provide sufficient capacity to safely convey stormwater and reduce flood risk.

This project will increase the capacity of Arcadia Creek through a combination of stormwater infrastructure improvements, floodplain modifications, and creek restoration. When complete, the project will reduce the FEMA-designated floodplain by approximately 60 acres and remove floodplain designation from approximately 70 homes and buildings.

The project is being coordinated with several major community investments, including the downtown event center, Streets for All improvements, and other transportation and infrastructure projects to maximize community benefits and minimize disruption.

Project at a Glance

  • Funded by a nearly $38 million federal PROTECT Grant
  • FEMA-designated floodplain reduced by approximately 60 acres 
  • Floodplain designation removed from approximately 70 homes and buildings
  • Aging infrastructure dating back to the 1880s being modernized
  • Portions of Arcadia Creek restored and daylighted
  • Construction occurring in phases through 2029

Why This Project Is Needed

Much of Arcadia Creek west of downtown currently flows through underground culverts and stormwater infrastructure that is more than a century old. While portions of the creek were improved through a major flood control project in downtown Kalamazoo during the early 1990s, additional improvements are needed upstream to address ongoing flood risks and aging infrastructure.

By increasing stormwater capacity and restoring portions of the creek, this project will help protect homes, businesses, roads, utilities, and other community assets from flooding while improving the long-term health of the creek corridor.

Project Benefits

The Arcadia Creek Flood Resilience Project will:

  • Reduce flood risk in and around downtown Kalamazoo
  • Reduce the FEMA-designated floodplain by approximately 60 acres
  • Remove floodplain designation from approximately 70 homes and buildings
  • Increase stormwater capacity during major rainfall events
  • Modernize aging underground infrastructure
  • Improve resilience to severe weather and future storm events
  • Daylight portions of Arcadia Creek to improve water quality and environmental conditions
  • Improve pedestrian connectivity and accessibility
  • Support future redevelopment and economic investment
A map showing a section of floodplain that will be eliminated due to the Arcadia Creek project.

Funding

The project is supported by a nearly $38 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration's Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program. The PROTECT program helps communities strengthen transportation infrastructure and improve resilience to flooding, extreme weather, and other natural hazards.

 More than $6 million was also contributed by the developer of the downtown event center for "Phase 0".

Project Phases

Construction will occur in multiple phases between downtown Kalamazoo and Oliver Street.

Phase 0 (Complete)

Phase 0 included flood mitigation improvements and underground utility upgrades near Westnedge Avenue and the future event center site. This work established the foundation for future phases of the project and has been completed.

Phase 1 (Planned for 2027)

Phase 1 will focus on the Michikal Street corridor west of Westnedge Avenue, including improvements near West Main Street. This phase will continue efforts to increase stormwater capacity and build upon the recently completed Michikal Street improvements.

Phase 2 (Planned for 2028)

Phase 2 will extend from West Main Street to Lovell Street and will include improvements to Arcadia Creek, reconstruction of the Academy Street culvert, and construction of additional stormwater infrastructure designed to improve capacity during major rainfall events. This phase is expected to include significant above-ground creek improvements and restoration work.

Phase 3 (Planned for 2028–2029)

Phase 3 will continue west from the Lovell Street area toward Oliver Street. Design work for this phase is ongoing, and final project details are still being developed.

A map showing phases 0- for the Arcadia Creek Flood Resilience Project from 2027-2029

Working Together

The Arcadia Creek Flood Resilience Project requires close coordination among public agencies, educational institutions, utility providers, and private development partners. The project is being coordinated with:

  • Streets for All transportation improvements/downtown two-way street conversion projects
  • The downtown event center development
  • Future transportation improvements in the Stadium Drive area
  • Kalamazoo College
  • Western Michigan University

This collaborative approach helps ensure that infrastructure investments work together to create a safer, more connected, and more resilient Kalamazoo.

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