# Kalamazoo Approves Towering Mural Project as New Downtown Parking Garage Takes Shape

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Kalamazoo County commissioners approved the design for a massive mural that will cover 40 large panels surrounding a new parking garage being built on Church Street in the Northside neighborhood. The art project, set to face the north side of the county administration building, will celebrate local leaders and community while weaving in nature elements and Kalamazoo's rich history.

The design uses all local faces, people that are really involved in our communities. The design is facing the north side, and so there is a lot of north side representation, as well as inclusivity for a larger part of members of the county.

— Patrick Hershberger, mural artist

The new parking garage will sit next to the Kalamazoo County Administration Building, which is being constructed on the former McDonald's property on Kalamazoo Avenue. Kalamazoo County purchased the property in late 2025 for $9 million and demolished the building earlier in 2026 to make way for the new structure.

A Flourishing Community on Display

Patrick Hershberger, the artist selected for the commission, said he wanted to showcase what he calls a flourishing community. The mural will incorporate faces of well-known community leaders while capturing Kalamazoo's history. Nature elements such as the cardinal flower and monarch butterfly are also woven throughout the design.

I want the focus to be on people that are doing things now and that also can give us inspiration to what we can do in our local community.

— Hershberger

Despite not having broken ground yet on the project, Kalamazoo County Administrator Kevin Catlin advised commissioners that they need to get the art project underway this month if they hope to have the huge panels ready in time. Hershberger will be painting a couple of the panels himself, but mostly he will be designing what 31 of the larger ones will look like.

The subcommittee selected Hershberger for the commission and is now planning to negotiate a contract with the local artist to begin work on the massive art project. Commissioners are expected to take action to approve the contract at their next meeting.

Northside Representation

The mural's placement on Church Street in the Northside neighborhood ensures that residents who live and work in that area will be prominently represented. Hershberger emphasized the importance of inclusivity for both the north side and a larger part of county members.

The project represents one of several art installations coming to downtown Kalamazoo. Meanwhile, Bike Friendly Kalamazoo and Clark Logic have finalized a Public Mural Site Agreement for a separate "Joys of Bicycling" mural that will transform 436 West Willard Street, welcoming thousands of new visitors to the district upon completion of the new Kalamazoo Event Center.

The mural project highlights Kalamazoo's ongoing commitment to beautifying downtown while celebrating the people and places that make the community special. The 40-panel installation will stand as a permanent reminder of the area's history and the vibrant community that continues to thrive.

Sources:

  • WWMT: Kalamazoo County Commission approve plans for new downtown mural
  • WKZO: Kalamazoo County commission to negotiate contract with artist for mural project
  • WKZO: New "Joys of Bicycling" mural to transform major downtown Kalamazoo gateway