Kalamazoo City Commission - Committee of the Whole - June 15, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting

Updated 37 minutes ago

The June 15, 2026 Kalamazoo City Commission Committee of the Whole meeting covers two main topics: public comment on a proposed data center and the Streets for All initiative. Residents express concerns about the potential noise and environmental impact of the data center in the Millwood neighborhood, citing health risks and lack of economic benefits. City staff present plans for the Streets for All initiative, aimed at transforming downtown streets to prioritize pedestrian safety and connectivity. The initiative includes infrastructure updates, such as the two-way conversion of Kalamazoo Avenue, stormwater management, and utility upgrades. City commissioners discuss the importance of communication and coordination with stakeholders, especially concerning downtown events and accessibility during construction. The meeting highlights community engagement in urban planning and infrastructure improvement efforts in Kalamazoo.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:02:10)
The Committee of the Whole meeting of the Kalamazoo City Commission is called to order.

The meeting is formally called to order for the Kalamazoo City Commission's Committee of the Whole.
Roll Call (00:02:18)
Roll is called and various Commissioners announce their presence, including Commissioner Hess, Commissioner Hoffman, and others.

Clerk Boylan calls the roll, and Commissioners Hess, Hoffman, ELL, Slaby, Wilson, Vice Mayor Duncan, and others state their presence.
Motion to Excuse Absent Commissioners (00:02:38)
A motion is made and passed to excuse the mayor and the missing commissioner from the meeting.

A motion is moved and supported to excuse the absence of certain commissioners including the mayor, which is then passed unanimously.
Communications from the City Manager (00:02:59)
The City Manager briefly informs that the city observes Juneteenth and offices will be closed.

City Manager Hankins communicates to the commission that the city observes Juneteenth, and as a result, city offices will be closed on that day.
Public Comments (00:03:18)
Members of the public are invited to provide comments, with topics including a proposed data center and its impacts.

Public comments are opened, and individuals like Eileen PKI and Sarah PI express concerns about a proposed data center's noise and environmental impacts, sharing personal stories and urging the commission to consider the community's wellbeing.
Work Session on Housing Development Proposal (00:09:08)
City staff and consultants present a housing development proposal, discussing incentives, financing, and community impact.

The city manager and staff present a detailed housing development proposal, highlighting incentives such as Brownfield TIFF, housing development fund loans, and neighborhood enterprise zones. The project aims to provide affordable housing in the north side neighborhood with significant community and economic benefits.
Presentation on Kalamazoo Avenue Reconstruction Project (00:24:02)
A presentation on the Kalamazoo Avenue Reconstruction Project, including community impact and construction details.

The city planner and director discuss the Kalamazoo Avenue Reconstruction Project aimed at transforming downtown streets to be more pedestrian-friendly. The project involves significant investments, including federal grants and public engagements, to improve infrastructure and enhance community connectivity.
Discussion on Kalamazoo Avenue Project (00:34:06)
The project involves burying utilities to increase pedestrian space, updating sidewalks and curbs, and improving crosswalks. New pedestrian islands and updated traffic signals are planned.

The discussion centered around improvements to Kalamazoo Avenue, including burying utilities to free up pedestrian space and updating sidewalks and curbs for ADA compliance. The project will include new pedestrian islands near the courthouse and Porter Street, areas with high pedestrian traffic. Additional updates involve traffic signals and a clear intersection at Porter and Kalamazoo, which will be redone to improve pedestrian movement. Storm drains will also be moved as part of the curb changes.
Tree Installation and Lighting Updates (00:35:36)
A new system for tree installation will be used to ensure long-term health and growth, with a focus on soil compaction and root space. New street and pedestrian lighting will be installed.

The project will introduce a new tree installation system in Kalamazoo, using cells that promote long-term tree health by considering soil compaction and root growth space. This is the first use of this system in the city. Additionally, new street lighting and pedestrian lighting will be installed along the corridor to enhance safety and visibility.
Project Collaboration and Agency Involvement (00:36:26)
The project is a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies and organizations, with ongoing involvement through construction to ensure comprehensive planning and execution.

The Kalamazoo Avenue project is a collaborative effort with numerous agencies and organizations participating. This includes continuous involvement from the start of planning through the construction phase, ensuring that all aspects of the project are comprehensively addressed. The city acknowledges the contributions of these partners and looks forward to continued collaboration.
Construction Phases and Traffic Management (00:36:51)
Construction will be phased to minimize disruptions, with only 2-3 blocks under construction at any time. Alternate routes and traffic management strategies will be communicated to the public.

The construction will occur in phases, focusing on minimizing disruptions by limiting the area under construction to 2-3 blocks at any time. The city will provide information on alternate routes and maintain open lanes whenever possible to facilitate traffic flow. In cases where complete closures are necessary, these will be communicated through media releases. Previously completed work on Park Street ensures that it remains open during this project.
Neighborhood Traffic Mitigation (00:39:35)
The city is implementing measures to mitigate additional traffic in neighborhoods, including traffic control improvements and speed humps on key streets.

To address potential traffic increase in adjacent neighborhoods due to the construction, the city is implementing traffic control improvements. This includes speed humps and pedestrian refuge islands on streets like Stewart, Woodward, and Staples. These measures aim to maintain neighborhood safety and manage traffic flow effectively.
Future Construction Plans and Traffic Flow Improvements (00:40:37)
Future construction will focus on key areas like West Main and Douglas. The goal is to restore neighborhood connectivity and improve two-way traffic flow.

Future construction efforts will focus on areas highlighted in red, such as West Main and Douglas, to enhance traffic flow and neighborhood connectivity. The project aims to restore two-way street access, allowing for more direct and efficient travel routes within the city, ultimately connecting neighborhoods better to downtown and each other.
Communication and Public Engagement Strategies (00:50:21)
The city plans to maintain regular communication with the public, businesses, and agencies through emails, meetings, and signage to keep everyone informed about project progress.

To ensure the public is well-informed about the project, the city will implement a multi-tiered communication strategy. This includes regular email updates to affected zones, bi-weekly updates for downtown businesses, and general public alerts. The city will also establish clear contact points for urgent and non-urgent inquiries and use an answering service to manage calls effectively. Coordination with the city's website and social media will provide real-time updates and celebrate project milestones.
Signage and Marketing for Construction Awareness (00:54:42)
Various types of signage, including vehicle, pedestrian, and informational signs, will be used to guide and inform the public about the construction and promote downtown accessibility.

The city is working with downtown organizations to develop signage for different purposes, such as vehicle signs to indicate that downtown is open, pedestrian signs to guide through construction areas, and ground stickers with information and QR codes. There will be billboards, radio ads, and informational yard signs to help spread awareness about the construction and ensure visitors and residents know about the project and how to navigate the area.
Support for Downtown Businesses During Construction (00:56:41)
The city is providing tools and resources for downtown businesses to navigate the construction, including checklists and promotional materials to aid communication with customers.

To support downtown businesses affected by the construction, the city is offering a toolkit that includes a pre-construction checklist, parking information for employees, and communication templates for customer engagement. The city is also exploring partnerships to expand sales opportunities for merchants and is creating branded maps to assist businesses in guiding customers to their locations during construction.
Discussion on Train Station Communications with Amtrak (01:03:54)
The city owns the train station and subleases it to Metro, but communication for Amtrak users needs improvement. Collaboration with Metro Transit is planned.

During the meeting, the issue of inadequate communication for Amtrak users at the train station, which is owned by the city and subleased to Metro, was raised. It was discussed that there is a need to improve communication for everyday users of Amtrak. Plans to work with Metro Transit to install posters and provide information inside the transit building for both Amtrak users and bus commuters were discussed.
Coordination of Detours and Construction with Event Center Developments (01:04:37)
Discussion on managing traffic and detours with ongoing construction near the event center, ensuring minimal disruption while accommodating increased traffic.

The meeting addressed concerns about traffic management due to detours and ongoing construction near the event center. It was noted that Kalamazoo Avenue will remain open with one lane during construction, and coordination with the event center team is ongoing to minimize disruptions. Lane closures and detours will occur for utility work, and efforts are being made to ensure smooth traffic flow during events. The city aims to communicate effectively with the public and stakeholders about traffic changes.
Public Accessibility and Sidewalk Detours During Construction (01:12:01)
Concerns about sidewalk accessibility and detours for people with disabilities during downtown construction were discussed, with a focus on improving signage and communication.

The discussion highlighted the importance of ensuring accessible and clear detours for sidewalks during construction, particularly for wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges. It was pointed out that previous sidewalk closures lacked adequate signage, leading to difficulties for pedestrians. The need for thoughtful planning and collaboration with contractors to provide safe and accessible routes was emphasized.
Truck Traffic and Routing Improvements in Downtown Area (01:13:02)
Efforts to reduce truck traffic through downtown by providing alternative routes and improving signage were outlined, aiming to minimize disruption during construction.

The meeting covered the initiatives being taken to reroute truck traffic away from downtown Kalamazoo to alleviate congestion and improve safety. New truck routing maps and signage are being developed in cooperation with state agencies. The goal is to provide clear and optimized routes for trucks, ensuring that those which need to access businesses downtown can do so efficiently, while others are directed to more suitable paths.
Utility and Infrastructure Planning for Kalamazoo Avenue (01:22:51)
Utilities along Kalamazoo Avenue are being upgraded with a focus on underground installations to reduce future disruptions and enhance service reliability.

The discussion focused on the ongoing utility upgrades along Kalamazoo Avenue, with an emphasis on burying electrical, telecommunications, and fiber optic lines. This effort aims to future-proof the infrastructure, minimize the need for future roadworks, and ensure easy access for maintenance. Coordination with various utility providers is actively ongoing to achieve these objectives.
Adjournment (01:27:21)
The meeting was adjourned with no further comments from commissioners.

The meeting concluded without any additional comments from the commissioners, and the session was formally adjourned.