Kalamazoo Streets For All Plan Brings Major Construction This Summer as One-Way Streets Converted to Two-Way Traffic

Downtown Kalamazoo Construction Creates Short-Term Bumps in Road Ahead of Safer Streets

*Extensive roadwork, utility upgrades, and major development projects in downtown Kalamazoo this summer will cause short-term travel disruptions but aim to create a safer, more accessible, and community-friendly transportation environment long term.*

By The Kalamazoo Press

KALAMAZOO, MI — Motorists and transit riders should brace themselves for a bumpy ride downtown this summer. Construction sites, road closures, and utility work will transform the central business district as the City of Kalamazoo implements its Streets For All plan.

The ambitious project involves converting several one-way streets into two-way thoroughfares, replacing aging underground infrastructure, and building a new parking ramp near Kalamazoo Avenue.

There's a lot going on and many different parts, says Sean McBride, executive director of Kalamazoo Metro Transit.

Major Projects Underway

The work, which started about a month ago, includes planned road improvements, the ongoing construction of the Kalamazoo Event Center, and underground infrastructure work in the 100- and 200-blocks of East Kalamazoo Avenue.

The Kalamazoo Event Center, a 450,000-square-foot facility at 411 W. Kalamazoo Ave. that will seat up to 8,000 patrons for sporting events and shows, is expected to be completed as early as this July.

Consumers Energy is simultaneously working to improve underground gas mains in support of the growth in downtown facilities.

Essentially, Kalamazoo is doing some road reconstruction work and Consumers Energy is supporting that, says Trisha Bloembergen, spokeswoman for Consumers Energy. But also, at the same time, we're going to take the opportunity to upgrade some gas mains. So this should actually help to minimize the cost and any future service disruptions to customers.

Streets For All Plan

According to the City of Kalamazoo, Streets For All is a lane-conversion project that will transform downtown Kalamazoo into a welcoming, inclusive and vibrant destination that offers safe travel for all modes of transportation.

Under development since 2022, the plan is intended to slow motor-vehicle traffic and enhance bicycle lanes, walkways, and public transit lines.

Major efforts starting this year include converting several one-way streets into two-way thoroughfares. That includes two of the downtown's biggest traffic arteries — Kalamazoo Avenue in 2026-27 and Michigan Avenue by 2028.

One of our priorities working with Consumers Energy is trying to make sure people who are accessing the facility, whether it's being dropped off in a car or walking or maybe they use an assisted mobility device, is how do we make sure there is a connection? McBride says.

Specific Construction Projects

The plan includes several major projects:

• Conversion of parts of West Main Street and Douglas Avenue into two-way streets
• Conversion of Kalamazoo Avenue from a one-way street into a two-way thoroughfare with work set to start on the eastern end of the street this spring
• Replacing underground water mains on Burdick Street
• Construction of a new parking ramp near Kalamazoo Avenue

Impact on Public Transit

The county's public transportation system has 45 full-size buses that provide about 5,000 rides to people each workday on fixed routes that radiate from downtown Kalamazoo. About half of those riders start or end their trips downtown.

We're pretty torn up at our Transportation Center, McBride says, referring to the county's train and bus hub, which it oversees.

Consumers Energy's work on natural gas lines has required construction teams to narrow part of busy Kalamazoo Avenue from three lanes of vehicle traffic to two.

Gas main replacement work means traffic along Kalamazoo Avenue has been narrowed adjacent to the Kalamazoo Transportation Center.

Future Routes

Metro is working with Western Michigan University to plan routes that help transport people to and from the new Kalamazoo Event Center. WMU's basketball, ice hockey, and other sports teams will be major users of the entertainment venue.

They're moving along with construction really fast, McBride says. I think it will be a great amenity for our community. For public transit, we're in discussions with Western and others on how do we service the facility as we are adjusting routes for both all-day use but also for bigger special events.

He asked that Metro riders be patient in the coming weeks, and he suggests that riders make it a habit to watch for changes announced through the Mystop app and Metro's Facebook page.

But I think the impact will be positive for the riders, McBride says.

Burdick Street Closure

One specific closure impacting commuters is on South Burdick Street, where the northbound lane will be closed between Burr Oak Street and West Vine Street starting March 30.

The closure will remain in place until at least the middle of May while crews work on sanitary sewer and potable water utilities upgrades along Fellows Avenue, infrastructure the city said has exceeded its useful life.

While access to all homes and businesses in the area will still be available, the city said a detour for drivers as well as a detour for pedestrians will be put in place.