The City of Kalamazoo’s Historic Preservation Commission is currently seeking nominations for Historic Preservation Awards of Merit.

For the last two decades the Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission (KHPC) has presented awards to preservation related projects in the city of Kalamazoo. Past awards have recognized a diverse group of projects including the Ladies Library Association building, the restored neon sign on Paris Cleaners, infill houses by Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, and both rental and owner-occupied housing rehabilitation projects in the River’s Edge area.

Historic preservation is an important part of the Kalamazoo we know and love and the KHPC acts to encourage and recognize the efforts made by local people to preserve our heritage and history. These awards also recognize individual people who have made a contribution to preservation (such as contractors and architects) and institutions with a track record of preserving their historic resources.

To be nominated for an award a project must:

• be located in the city of Kalamazoo - the KHPC especially encourages nominations outside the historic districts.
• maintain the historic character of the building or resource
• have work substantially completed within the past five years
• have a complete nomination submitted by Monday, March 5, 2018 at 5:00 pm

Complete details are included in the Nomination Packet, available from the City of Kalamazoo’s Historic Preservation Coordinator or on the City website here. Nominations must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 5. An awards ceremony will be held in May to coincide with National Historic Preservation Month. 

Many Kalamazoo residents rely on public sidewalks each day, including children walking to school and residents with mobility difficulties. During the winter months, accumulated snow and ice prevents residents from safely utilizing sidewalks and further impacting their mobility.

City ordinance requires the owners or occupants of properties within the city limits to remove snow and ice from any adjacent public sidewalks, walkways and alleys. This enables people of all ages and physical condition to have access to clean walkways during the winter months. Although required by ordinance, clearing snow and ice should simply be looked upon as a courtesy to neighbors and all residents that rely on this infrastructure for their mobility.

The City reminds property owners or occupants that: 

1. All snow and ice which has accumulated on the adjacent public sidewalk should be removed in a timely fashion. Immediately after the accumulation of ice on such a sidewalk it is recommended that it be treated with sand, salt or other substance to prevent it from being slippery. 
2. Please exercise caution and care when shoveling, especially during extreme cold.

Residents are also encouraged to assist neighbors or family who may have difficulty removing snow from their properties due to physical condition.

If any citizen has a concern regarding sidewalk snow removal more than 48 hours after the end of an accumulation greater than one inch, Public Services is ready to help. Citizens may call (269) 337-8215 during regular business hours to report locations which may be of concern or visit www.kalamazoocity.org/report.

When the time comes to take down your holiday decorations, please bring real holiday trees to the Bank Street Market parking lot (located at 1204 Bank Street). Real trees are biodegradable, easily recyclable, and may be dropped off at any time through January 31. Please be sure to remove all ornaments and other decorations.