Kalamazoo Avenue Two-Way Plans will be Introduced at May Meetings

Published on May 01, 2023

View of Kalamazoo Avenue at Rose Street

Draft plans for the two-way redesign of Kalamazoo Avenue will be available for community members to view at two meetings at the end of May:

  • Wednesday, May 24 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. at Bell’s Brewery, Backroom (355 E. Kalamazoo Ave).
  • Tuesday, May 30 from 9 – 11 a.m. at the Catalyst Center, Building Lobby (180 E Water St). Coffee and refreshments will be provided. Bike Parking is available.

The plans will outline the proposed street configuration for the two-way conversion plus locations for transit upgrades, pedestrian improvements, and other streetscape amenities like curb bump outs, benches, lighting, and street trees. Information about smart traffic signal timing will also be included as part of the plans.

Both events will be held open house-style and attendance for the entire event is not necessary. Residents will be able to view the design plans and share their input on boards and through discussions. City staff and design consultants will be available to provide information and answer questions. The events will cover the same information, with the May 30 meeting being geared towards Downtown businesses.

The draft plans will be posted to the Imagine Kalamazoo project page following the meetings. A series of short videos explaining the project’s history, design process, and how community input has informed the designs will also be released in mid-May. These videos will be available on the City of Kalamazoo YouTube Channel.

Planning for the Kalamazoo Avenue Two-Way Redesign began in the summer of 2022 with a series of community events. That feedback is incorporated into the draft plans, and community review will inform final design plans to be completed later this year.

In addition to the new, two-way street configuration, the project will also upgrade water, storm, and sewer infrastructure underneath the street, some of which are more than 100 years old. Construction is expected to begin in 2024 and last through 2026.

About Streets for All

Streets for all is a project to redesign several major streets in Kalamazoo to create a street network that meets the needs of the community, promotes safe transportation for all modes, and fosters more vibrant public places. Starting in 1965, many downtown streets in Kalamazoo were converted from two-way to one-way traffic with wide, highway-like lanes. These streets create barriers for many Kalamazoo residents and visitors – pedestrians, drivers, and bicyclists.

After decades of discussion, clear direction from the Imagine Kalamazoo Master Plan, and transfer of control of these streets to the City of Kalamazoo from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) in 2019, the City has an opportunity to redesign the way the streets function and transform Kalamazoo’s downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. The first changes started taking shape in 2022 with the reconstruction of Stadium Drive and traffic calming work on Westnedge and Park. For more information, visit www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/streetsforall

Tagged as: