A decade of planning ends with a unanimous vote
Kalamazoo City Commissioners voted unanimously Monday night to approve a nearly $19 million project that will convert Kalamazoo Avenue from a one-way street back to two-way traffic through the heart of downtown.
The vote concludes more than a decade of studies, community input, and debate over how to reshape one of the city's most important corridors.
"This is going to be a forever game changer in that corridor in terms of just traffic, pedestrians, all of these above," said Commissioner Chris Pradel.
Block by block through 2028
City Engineer James Baker told the commission that construction will begin in July and run through 2028. The project will move block by block, starting at Park Street and working east to Pitcher Avenue.
Baker said the phased approach is designed to minimize disruption for local businesses and drivers. The city is applying lessons learned from a major project on Westnedge Avenue in 2024, which was completed all at once.
The work includes:
- Replacing water mains, some dating to the 1890s
- Upgrading storm sewers and drainage
- Installing new sidewalks, street trees, and pedestrian lighting
- Modernizing traffic signals for two-way travel
- Burying all electrical wires underground
- Upgrading sewage and telecommunications infrastructure
One-third of the project focuses on underground utility work. The remaining two-thirds addresses surface improvements funded through grants.
The arena collision
The construction timeline overlaps with the opening of the new downtown Kalamazoo event center, scheduled for fall 2027. Baker acknowledged the challenge of having both an active arena and active road construction on Kalamazoo Avenue at the same time.
"We are going to be in a point in time where the arena is open and we are also under construction. And it is certainly something that we're going to have to deal with through this project," Baker said.
Baker said the Safe Streets For All plan, which includes the conversion, was designed around the arena's expected traffic impact. City staff are coordinating with arena developers on traffic control strategies during events.
What it costs residents
The total project cost is approximately $19 million, split between two approved contracts:
- 1.A $16,808,308 subrecipient agreement with MDOT for the street conversion
- 2.A $2,139,900 contract with engineering firm Wrightman for construction engineering
Commissioner Pradel noted that federal funding covers the bulk of the cost. Residents will contribute roughly $250 per person toward the local match required for the project.
"Communities in the state of Michigan alone but around the country that are not investing in their infrastructure," Pradel said. "How much of a competitive edge that we are setting ourselves up and our kids and our grandkids for the decades ahead."
Trust and communication
Commissioner Jae Slaby emphasized that thorough communication with residents will be critical to maintaining public trust during the three-year construction period.
"I think we often get so focused on these things, we know this is the right thing to do, so we kind of just brush it off like, 'they'll see.' But I think, again, it goes back to restoring that trust with the public and making sure that the community feels like a genuine partner with us," Slaby said.
Commissioner Jeanne Hess said high-speed one-way lanes only moved traffic through town without capturing the economic benefits for the city. She said the mission now is building a community-focused downtown.
"It has to be a resident-focused, pedestrian-focused, yes, bicycle-friendly town," Hess said.
What happens next
The two-way conversion will not take effect until all downtown sections are complete, along with companion work on West Main Street and Douglas Avenue, expected in late 2027.
Baker will return to the City Commission on June 15 with details on traffic management, alternative routes, and how the city will communicate updates to the public throughout construction.
Vice Mayor Drew Duncan noted that updated blueprints no longer include bike lanes, a change he said could address some community frustrations about the project design.
City Manager Malcolm Hankins confirmed the commission could re-evaluate contracting decisions at the 18-month mark if needed.