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City outlines Phase 0 of Arcadia Creek project: $12M in work, detours and a June construction target
Summary
Public Services presented a Phase 0 overview for the Arcadia Creek/event center area: a Protect grant supports stormwater upgrades, the city and a developer will share costs for major culverts and water/wastewater upsizing, and staff anticipate starting construction in late June with a one‑lane reopening by November.
Public Services Director James Baker presented highlights Monday of a Phase 0 construction package tied to the Arcadia Creek/event center area that will address stormwater, water and sewer needs and will require a full roadway closure of Westnedge Avenue during portions of work.
Baker said the overall effort aligns with a $38 million federal PROTECT grant awarded last fall and will address stormwater capacity, aging pipes and a creek reconfiguration in the Allen neighborhood and parts of the Stadium Drive corridor. Phase 0 itself is approximately $12 million, with a developer contribution of $5 million and other project‑level splits (roughly $3 million streets, $1 million wastewater, $2 million water) tied to the infrastructure being installed.
Planned work: The project includes large box‑culvert sections north of Water Street, lowering and reconfiguring a 42‑inch sanitary interceptor, and installing a new 24‑inch ductile‑iron water transmission main to increase reliability and redundancy. Baker said the city will “upsize” pipes with the developer paying for a portion of the pipe sized to serve the project’s needs.
Schedule and traffic: Staff said they plan to ask the commission to approve a third‑party construction agreement in June (either the June 2 or June 16 meeting) and aim to begin construction in late June or early July; if the schedule holds, the city hopes to open at least one lane on Westnedge by late November and complete paving and final work by the following June. The work requires a full closure with detours routing southbound traffic via Michigan Avenue and Kalamazoo Avenue; staff plan communications, portable message boards, and direct outreach to businesses and institutions (including Saint Augustine’s Cathedral and nearby employers) to maintain access during construction.
Community and safety: Commissioners raised concerns about winter schedules, neighborhood cut‑through traffic, signage clarity and safety for pedestrians and children. Baker said traffic engineers and Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety will coordinate maintenance‑of‑traffic and that the contractor will be required to maintain traffic control seven days a week. The city will also distribute direct mail and use message boards to notify residents ahead of closures.
Ending: The commission received the update; staff plan to return with the construction agreement in June. The project is tied to larger multi‑phase creek improvements expected to continue in subsequent years.
