Downtown Kalamazoo Sees Double Demolition as Vacant Lots Await Next Chapter

*KALAMAZOO, MI* — Two neighboring buildings have been demolished in downtown Kalamazoo since the beginning of 2026, leaving behind vacant lots where developers had previously struggled to find the right plan.

The first building, located at 433 S. Rose St., came down in January. The Community Answering Service occupied the structure before it was torn down, leaving the corner of Rose Street and Cedar Street vacant. The property changed hands for $190,000 in 2021, according to public records, and is now owned by an LLC associated with West Michigan real estate developer Hinman Company.

One parcel to the east, at 116 W. Cedar Street, saw demolition begin in March. The two-story building was constructed in 1957 and was most recently used for storage. The 14,803-square-foot building previously housed Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Fire Station No. 1. The city owns the property, according to public records.

Asbestos Complicates Redevelopment Plans

Both sites are contaminated with asbestos, a factor that has repeatedly stalled redevelopment efforts in the area. A pending brownfield plan application from 2025 sits on the books for the 116 W. Cedar Street property. The property was added to the city's brownfield plan in 2004 to create development incentives once the property becomes available for private acquisition.

The city explored redevelopment ideas at 116 W. Cedar Street in 2017, with MLive reporting at the time that Portage-based Hollander Development Corp. was the sole respondent. That company submitted plans in 2018 to demolish the public safety training facility and build a six-story office and affordable housing complex. Those plans did not include the 433 S. Rose St. building.

Come 2023, the property at 433 S. Rose St. was under contract to sell to AVB-associated Burdick@Cedar LLC for redevelopment, according to documents. AVB officials could not be reached for more information.

The area sits behind AT&T and across from the Blue Dolphin restaurant, according to Audrey Whitaker, a local government reporter for MLive. Plans for the asbestos-contaminated area behind AT&T and across from the Blue Dolphin have fallen through in the past.

What's coming next is still a mystery, as local officials couldn't be reached for more information on what's planned for these vacant lots.

Downtown Transformation Continues

The demolitions add to a series of changes downtown Kalamazoo has seen over the past year. The city continues to grapple with redevelopment opportunities on contaminated properties while balancing community needs and economic growth.

The vacant lots represent both challenges and opportunities for downtown Kalamazoo. Asbestos remediation and brownfield designation are necessary steps toward creating new development opportunities, but these processes take time and resources.

Sources:

  • MLive: "Double demolition: 2 downtown Kalamazoo buildings come down on same block" — https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2026/04/double-demolition-2-downtown-kalamazoo-buildings-come-down-on-same-block.html