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comp plan public input

 

NEXT OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC INPUT:
Community Forum
Tuesday, July 22
6 – 8pm
City Hall, Commission Chambers
 
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Downtown Kalamazoo Incorporated (DKI) is conducting a future planning process it refers to as the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update. This planning process looks to redefine the vision for downtown and to identify new themes, guidelines and directives for future development projects over the next 10 years.
 
“We have arrived at a point in our downtown planning and development process that requires us to freshen directions and strategies guided by the 1996 Comprehensive Plan. With many of its projects and initiatives completed, we are at a natural point to re-evaluate our goals, objectives and strategies,” said Ken Nacci, DKI president.

The process was kicked off on February 18 as part of the State of the Downtown Address, at which time an initial survey was administered to an audience of mostly downtown stakeholders to gather general attitudes, opinions, and beliefs about many varying downtown issues. This was only the first step at harvesting information from the community as DKI and its consultants implemented a methodology designed to probe deeply into the community for feedback.
 
“While the budget did not allow us to conduct separate focus groups for each and every type of downtown stakeholder and user, we designed the process to allow all interested parties to be heard and become engaged. Our goal was to have broad community participation,” Nacci said.
 
To date, DKI has conducted two general community forums and nine separate focus group meetings, the results of which have provided planners with a large, broad range of guiding principles and priorities. Nearly 400 downtown constituents have participated in the process to date.
 
A copy of the priorities and summary of these sessions DOWNTOWN VISION AND PRIORITIZED GUIDING PRINCIPLES, as endorsed by the Downtown Development Authority on June 16, 2008, is available on our web site as a downloadable document.
 
“We have been able to drill deep down into the thinking of our downtown users, to gather information in a way that has provided meaningful discussion and sharing of concerns and ideas – now we have to act on them and produce a tangible plan that the community will support and embrace,” said DKI Board Chairman, Bob Doud.
 
 
NEXT STEP:
On Tuesday, July 22, the community at large will be invited to participate in what will be the first of two opportunities to respond to planners who will have interpreted DOWNTOWN VISION AND PRIORITIZED GUIDING PRINCIPLES. Those in attendance will be able to provide feedback on how the first draft of the plan responds to the needs and goals of the community. All members of the community are invited to participate. RSVP’s are highly requested in order to make space accommodations. Please email stephaniew@dki.org or call 344-0795. This meeting will be held at City Hall at the Commission Chambers, 6-8pm.
 
 
TIME LINE:
·         February 18 – State of the Downtown Address
The 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update process is announced. Initial survey is conducted among stakeholders to establish a basic understanding of values and opinions, to help develop questions for future focus group meetings.
 
·         March 19 and March 25
The general public has opportunity to provide input on what it wants to see in downtown Kalamazoo.
 
·         May 5 and May 6
Specialized focus groups meet. They include:
Downtown Residents
Business and property owner
 Restaurateurs
Retailers
Non-profit organizations
College students
Leaders from Kalamazoo’s neighborhoods
 
·         June 9
TSI Consulting presents its findings for the first time to the Downtown Development Authority. This is a public meeting. Discussion directs additions to scope of captured interests.
 
·         June 16
The DDA endorses the output document, the DOWNTOWN VISION AND PRIORITIZED GUIDING PRINCIPLES as presented by TSI Consulting. This is a public meeting.
 
·         July 22, 6-8pm
Community Forum
City Hall, Commission Chambers
 
First presentation of planning firm LSL’s proposal for development plans and projects as guided by the DOWNTOWN VISION AND PRIORITIZED GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
 
The draft plan will be presented in a “community fair” format. Beginning with an introductory overview, the public will have an opportunity to visit topic stations for more in-depth discussions regarding plan elements. 
 
·         September 23, 6-8pm
Community Forum
City Hall, Commission Chambers
Final plan presented
 
CONSULTANTS:
 
Tim Fallon
TSI Consulting Partners
President
 
Val Lazdins
LSL Planning, Inc.
Principal Planner
 
Jon Seybold
Downtown Parking Solutions
Owner
 
 
BUDGET
DKI’s budget for this planning project is $125,000. Current funding sources include DKI, Downtown Development Authority, and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.
 
BACKGROUND ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The first of several plans for downtown Kalamazoo was developed in 1982 through a design competition that specifically focused on the north-central business district, and the Arcadia Creek area. While this was a segmented approach to downtown planning, it provided focus for the Arcadia Creek development project.
 
A more all-inclusive approach was taken in 1996 when LSL Inc.  was contracted to research and prepare a downtown comprehensive plan. The process included much public input and was, thereafter, endorsed by the Downtown Development Authority and Kalamazoo City Commission. The ten-point plan known as “Project Downtown”, included such high profile projects as the re-opening of the Kalamazoo Mall to vehicular traffic.
 
In 2004 the ABI (Another Bold Idea) vision plan was developed. Driven and funded by the private sector, it identified the best locations for proposed large public venues and attractions such a sports arena, performing arts center, and convention center.
 
PROPOSED 2008 PLAN
The comprehensive plan update will focus on three main components; mission statement, urban planning and parking demand. This plan will ultimately be endorsed by the Downtown Development Authority, and will also be included in the city wide strategic planning process slated to occur in 2009.
 
In addition to identifying new initiatives, the Comprehensive Plan update will revisit past ideas and plans and determine if they are still valid and appropriate. For example, the conversion of one-way streets to two-way traffic will be addressed to gauge whether further energy and investment should be made to bring this long-time goal to fruition.
 
Similarly, the parking component of the Plan will look at both existing and future potential demand for parking based on existing data and make recommended changes.
 


ABOUT DKI
Downtown Kalamazoo Incorporated (DKI) is a private, non-profit organization that manages a full range of activities to benefit downtown Kalamazoo. Its vision is to create a dynamic and vibrant, 24-hour downtown that ensures an economic environment attractive to residents, businesses, consumers and visitors alike, both now and in the future. It further acts as a private, nonprofit corporation that works with both the public and private sectors in preserving and enhancing the economic health of Kalamazoo's downtown and, in turn, the entire community.
Blues Fest 15th annual

 

Kalamazoo Blues Fest is back. Two stages...nearly non-stop Blues each day! National acts along with the regions best blues talent will help Downtown Kalamazoo promote, educate, and preserve the rich history of blues music and its impact on American culture. July 10, 11, and 12, the 15th Annual Blues Festival will liven the Arcadia Creek Festival Place. The Blues Fest places an emphasis on education. Educational performances and workshops will be happening throughout the weekend, and children's activities will be available on Saturday afternoon. KBF and artists merchandise, food, and beverages will be available on the Arcadia Creek Festival grounds. 
 
Event Hours
Thursday, July 12        12 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Friday, July 13             12 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 14         12 p.m. -1:00 a.m.
 
Scheduled Performers
 
 
 
 
Admission Price:
Thursday- $5.00           Friday-$10.00              Saturday- $12.00
 
Advance ticket sales for all three days are $15.00 and are available along with more information at www.kvba.org
 
Real Sidewalks. Sidewalk Sales.

 

Back again by popular demand, Downtown Kalamazoo will line the Kalamazoo Mall with tents from Michigan to South Street, for its annual Summer Sidewalk Tent Sale. Many merchants throughout Central City will offer sales. Stretch your dollar with the savings and suport your local businesses. (BTW: Did you know that for every dollar you spend downtown, sixty cents stays in the community?) Bring the whole family for a day of free live music, shopping, and children’s activities.
 
Below is a list of confirmed participants, however other stores may be offering sales for the weekend as well.
 
Adventure Travel                               
Black Arts and Cultural Center          
Burdick St. Beanery                          
Earthly Delights                                   
Friends Bookstore                              
Golden Needle Tailor Shop               
Kalamazoo Antique's Market             
Kalamazoo Tigers Martial Arts           
Mangia Mangia                                  
Michigan News Agency                     
Nature Connection                              
Oggi the Gift Shoppe                         
Okun Bros Shoes                              
Plata y Oro                                         
RX Optical                                         
South St. Cigar & Spirits                      
St. Luke's Episcopal Church Thrift Shop      
Sticks and Stones                              
Tempted        
Terrapin                                              
V & A Bootery                                    
Van Sweden Jewelers                      
 
Summer Sidewalk Sale hours are:
 
Thursday, July 10                               10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, July 11                                    10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 12                                10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Thursday Night Entertainment:           5:30-8 p.m.                                                           Just Add Water – Jazz R&B Band
 
Friday Night Entertainment:                5:30-8 p.m.                                                     Midtown Underground – R&B Band
 
Saturday Children’s Activities             11 a.m.-1 p.m.                                                  Jingles the Clown, Face painting, Arts and Crafts
 
Live Lunchtime Entertainment Thursday and Friday – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Do-Dah 2008

 

 

True to Do-Dah style and doing things just a little bit differently we celebrated the first anniversary of our 25th parade, and it was a huge success. The beautiful weather complimented all the great float designs. While we believe anybody that participates in the day’s festivities is a winner, a few floats stood out from the rest. The winner of this years best float design was (drum roll please)……………….The Community Access Center! which was also celebrating their own 25th anniversary with characters from the silver screen. Second place was Drake Dental which was kind enough to point out that “chickens don’t have teeth, don’t be a chicken.” Third place went to Lakeside Academy whose students are proud to be Titans, even if they aren’t that big. All entries had to find a creative way of incorporating silver into their floats
            A big thank you to all of this years sponsors and everyone who came out and made this a Do-Dah day to remember
Gazelle Sports Historic Walk

 

Do you want to learn more about the rich history of Kalamazoo? Or perhaps just need a little non-intensive exercise? Well you’re in luck: For the seventh year in a row, Gazelle Sports is sponsoring a series of historic walks around Kalamazoo this summer and fall. Lynn Houghton, our local historian and published co-author of Kalamazoo: Lost and Found, will be leading these 60-90 minute walk and talk sessions about our great community and its origins. This is an unique opportunity to pick the brain and draw upon a wealth of knowledge from Lynn, who has been leading historic walks for over twenty-five years.
 
These free walks are open to the public. No registration is necessary. There will be a variety of starting points throughout town. The historic walks are held on Friday mornings at 8:00 a.m. and Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. weather permitting. The first morning tour will be Friday June 6th at 8:00 a.m. at Gazelle Sports, 214 S. Kalamazoo Mall. The first evening tour will be Thursday, June 12th at 6:30 pm in the Stuart Historic District, at the corner of Elm and West Main Street.
 
Whether you are new to Kalamazoo, or have been a life long resident, these tours will help to give you a better understanding of where Kalamazoo came from. So lace up your walking shoes, and prepare for an informative stroll thru Kalamazoo, you’ll never know what you can learn or see, when you come downtown.
 
Here are just a few examples of the area’s that will be covered and what to expect:
 
 
Allen Boulevard (Fridays, June 6 and September 5, both 8:00 a.m.)
Located behind St. Augustine Cathedral off West Michigan, this area contains some very unique post-1900 houses including Foursquares, Tudors and Bungalows.  A special stop is going to be made at the Family Shelter operated by Housing Resources, Incorporated and located on Eleanor Street.
 
Bronson Park Churches (Friday, June 20, 8:00 a.m.)
For over 150 years, churches have been located here.  Currently there are six with a seventh not far away that surround BronsonPark almost all, with one exception, built in the Gothic Style.  On this tour we will spend some time examining the exteriors and visit some of the interiors.
 
Downtown (Thursday, June 26, 6:30 p.m.)
This unique tour will be looking not only at downtown buildings but also the businesses located in them. Locally owned stores will be featured.
 
South Street (Thursday, July 3, 6:30 p.m.)
Covering just a few blocks, South Street contains an example of just about every architectural style popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries. A special stop will be made at the Marlborough, originally an apartment building, now filled with condominiums, completed in 1924. 
 
Northside (Friday, August 8, 8:00 a.m.)
This tour will cover houses, churches, a school and commercial buildings that have been in the neighborhood for a number of years.
 
Haymarket (Friday, September 19, 8:00 a.m.)
Kalamazoo’s only historic business district, Haymarket contains one of the most important buildings in Kalamazoo, the Desenberg Building which is the only building left in Michigan designed by the Chicago architect, Louis Sullivan.
 
For more information, please contact Gazelle Sports at 26-342-5996. Or visit the website at www.gazellesports.com/kalamazoo.aspx
 
 
 
WELCOME NEW CLOTHING STORE

May 7, 2008, Kalamazoo, Mich.: Downtown Kalamazoo welcomes “FRAYED” to its growing mix of retailers. The store, targeted toward West Michigan’s fashion savvy youth, will open May 8. A sneak preview will take place tonight at 5:30 pm for an opening celebration and ribbon cutting. You’re invited to attend.

Located at 815 W Michigan (previously occupied by Aaron Rental, and Scotts on Campus before that) Bermo Enterprises, the parent company, chose this location due to its close proximity to both Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College campuses.

“Our mission is to provide our fashion conscience youth with big city, top-line brand names at competitive prices. There is nothing like it in all of this side of Michigan,”said Manuel Sosa, Executive General Manager, Retail Division for Bermo Enterprises. FRAYED’s name brands include Lucky, Silver Jeans, Levis, Quick Silver, Hurley, Super Rifle, Steve Madden, !iT, and Roxy. Bermo Enterprises’ international buying power will allow FRAYED to offer deep savings, sometimes up to 40% on things such as jeans that in most markets can retail for $120, $130 per pair. “We’re going to make high-end trendy clothing affordable,” said Sosa. The store’s product line will also includes alternative apparel, including Peace Frogs, made from environment friendly and organic materials.

Bermo Enterprises, known widely by its retail name Mr. B’s, has built an empire in the discount clothing business since its first store opened in 1975. It was located 1000 W. Michigan Ave, (now Super Cuts), just kiddy-corner from FRAYED’s location. 35 years later, FRAYED is born out of the progressive thinking of store owner Ed Bernard and his want to step out of his traditional discount model to create, simply, a store that offers edgy trends for the student lifestyle. And, it was born out of a want to “come home”, back to the college campuses and downtown Kalamazoo where he got his start.

“I have wanted to be back downtown for many years, looking for the best location to serve the college market. The current retail climate, recent downtown development growth, and ultimately, the availability of 815 Michigan Ave. were all factors in joining the downtown retail community. We feel there is great opportunity to capture student interest, and we believe we will deliver a fantastic product and service. It’s very exciting, this “coming home” aspect – this is where we started, and now we’re going to deliver a store that goes beyond the discount – it’s going to be simply, an awesome place to shop.”

The confidence of their projected success doesn’t just come from three decades of retail clothing ventures, but it’s primed by the enthusiasm of the many students who were a part of the planning for the new clothing store. This work-group provided heavy influence in all aspects of store concept development, from interior design, merchandise lay-out, and product line; it was even responsible for suggesting the store name FRAYED (inspired by today’s jean trends.) FRAYED’s 30-plus staff roster is comprised of college students.

“Having student focused retail on Michigan Ave. at South Street is a huge step toward bridging the gap between downtown and our neighborhood college campuses,” said Ken Nacci, President of Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. (DKI). “We’re very pleased that Ed Bernard and his staff will be a part of the downtown retail mix: One more reason to come and shop downtown.”