Kalamazoo Historic District Commission approves notice to proceed for demolition on Vine/Burdick block

The Kalamazoo City Historic District Commission voted 5-0 to approve a notice to proceed for demolition of properties described in an applicant packet for a multi‑phase development on the Burdick/Vine corridor. The commission’s roll call recorded Katie, Kristy, Dana, Dan and James voting yes; the motion was seconded and carried.

The approval allows the applicant to move forward with demolition and continue the city’s internal process, but commissioners and nearby residents emphasized that final construction plans must return to the commission for review. An applicant representative said the project is “phase 1” of a broader plan and that the developer intends to come back with more detailed drawings and a “formalized packet of documents and drawings” to make commissioners more comfortable.

The vote capped a public comment period in which longtime neighborhood residents urged preservation and careful reuse of historic structures. Nelson Nave, who identified himself as a property owner and a former commission member, said he was “very worried in general about the historic district being chipped away by the economic development department,” and urged restoration rather than demolition for some houses that have been local landmarks.

Business owner Mike Fleckenstein said the properties had declined after being sold and argued the neighborhood would benefit from removal of blighted structures. He told the commission the buildings “have gone downhill because nobody gives a **** about them,” and said he was willing to work with the applicants on the project.

Commissioners debated whether to make approval conditional on receipt of final drawings or on neighborhood survey results. One commissioner said she was “torn” and wanted to weigh both the potential benefits of new development for Bronson and the neighborhood’s historic character. The commission was advised that its vote must be based on the stated “notice to proceed” criteria in the ordinance rather than on the results of a neighborhood survey; one commissioner asked to see any neighborhood survey results but staff said the survey was not part of the formal application.

The applicant described future phases that could include affordable housing, childcare and neighborhood amenities and said the development team (identified in the meeting as Bogan Developments and 4 Adventures) plans to consult with the community on uses. The applicant also confirmed that two corner properties at Vine and Rose that were raised by public commenters are not included in the current demolition request.

With the notice to proceed approved, the applicant will return to the commission with construction documents and additional materials for the commission’s review, and staff said they would follow up on next steps.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved a motion to "approve the work as written as it complies with the notice to proceed criteria 2 and 4 from the ordinance." Roll call: Katie — Yes; Kristy — Yes; Dana — Yes; Dan — Yes; James — Yes. Outcome: approved (5–0).

The commission concluded the item by noting the applicant’s commitment to return with more detailed plans and by urging continued neighborhood engagement as the project moves into the design and permitting phases.