Two Downtown Kalamazoo Buildings Demolished Simultaneously as Redevelopment Plans Remain Uncertain

Double Demolition Marks Continued Transformation of Downtown Kalamazoo

*Two neighboring buildings have been demolished in downtown Kalamazoo since the beginning of 2026, including one this week. 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.*

The Community Answering Service at 433 S. Rose St. was torn down in January, leaving the lot at the corner of Rose Street and Cedar Street vacant. The building was demolished in January, creating a blank canvas for potential redevelopment in one of Kalamazoo's most active commercial corridors.

"The Community Answering Service building was demolished in January."

Property Ownership and Development History

The property changed hands for $190,000 in 2021, public records show. It's owned by an LLC associated with West Michigan real estate developer Hinman Company. Hinman has been active in multiple redevelopment projects across Southwest Michigan, bringing commercial and mixed-use developments to underserved areas.

One parcel to the east, demolition at 116 W. Cedar Street began in March. The building previously housed Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Fire Station No. 1. The two-story building was built 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 116 W. Cedar Street property, per public records, and a pending brownfield plan application from 2025 is on the books. Asbestos is the issue, per a 2023 city meeting agenda. It was added to the city's brownfield plan in 2004 to create development incentives once the property is made available for private acquisition.

Brownfield Redevelopment Plans Hit Roadblocks

The city was looking for redevelopment ideas at 116 W. Cedar Street in 2017, per previous MLive reporting. In 2018, Portage-based Hollander Development Corp. was the sole respondent. The company submitted a plan to demolish the public safety training facility and build a six-story office and affordable housing complex.

"The company submitted plan to demolish the public safety training facility and build a six-story office and affordable housing complex."

Plans for the site uploaded in 2018 included proposals for Hollander Development Corp. However, these plans did not include the 433 S. Rose St. demolition.

Come 2023, the property was under contract to sell to AVB-associated Burdick@Cedar LLC for redevelopment, documents state. AVB officials could not be reached for more information regarding the current status of their redevelopment proposals.

Downtown Kalamazoo Development Context

The double demolition represents a significant chapter in the ongoing transformation of downtown Kalamazoo. The area has seen multiple redevelopment efforts over the past several years, with various developers submitting proposals for mixed-use buildings, office spaces, and affordable housing.

The brownfield plan program has been instrumental in facilitating redevelopment of contaminated properties throughout the county. State officials have provided funding and tax incentives to bring blighted properties back into productive use, helping to eliminate blight and foster job creation in downtown neighborhoods.

The demolition of these buildings, particularly the former fire station that served the public safety community for decades, marks a significant shift in how downtown Kalamazoo properties are being utilized. The site's proximity to major landmarks like AT&T and across from the Blue Dolphin places it in a highly visible area of the downtown commercial district.

What Comes Next?

Despite the demolition activity, local officials remained unavailable for comment on what redevelopment plans are currently in the works for these sites. The uncertainty surrounding future development reflects the complex nature of downtown redevelopment, where brownfield remediation, zoning changes, and private investment must all align for successful projects.

The Hinman Company property at 433 S. Rose Street, acquired in 2021 for $190,000, represents a significant investment in downtown revitalization. Similarly, the city-owned parcel at 116 W. Cedar Street, with its pending brownfield application, holds promise for future development once asbestos remediation is complete.