Votes at a glance: Kalamazoo City Commission approves housing funds, brownfields, West Gateway plan and other measures
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Summary
At its Oct. 20 meeting the commission approved a substantial amendment to the 2025 Action Plan (CDBG/HOME allocations), two commercial rehabilitation/brownfield exemption certificates, the Kalamazoo West Gateway Plan, several property purchases and multiple consent items; roll-call tallies and next steps are listed below.
The Kalamazoo City Commission on Monday approved a series of resolutions and contracts spanning housing funds, brownfield redevelopment, transportation grants and planning tools. Most items were adopted with routine roll-call votes after brief staff presentations and, in several cases, public hearings.
What the commission approved (selected highlights):
- Substantial amendment to the 2025 Action Plan (Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds): Staff asked the commission to allocate Entitlement and program-income dollars through a substantial amendment so specific partner organizations and projects could be funded. Commissioner Don Cooney moved the item; the roll call recorded six yes votes and one abstention (Commissioner Bridal abstained for a disclosed employer conflict). The commission approved the amendment; city staff listed tenant-based rental assistance, single-family repair and housing development among the prioritized activities. Housing Resources’ executive director told commissioners that more than 700 households remain on the coordinated entry list, and she urged the commission to consider deeper rental-assistance investments.
- Commercial rehabilitation / transformational brownfield tools: The commission held public hearings and adopted resolutions approving applications and certificates connected to redevelopment at 227 W. Michigan Ave., 261 E. Kalamazoo Ave., 619 Porter St., and related blocks as part of the City’s transformational brownfield work. Staff described the tools as necessary to freeze taxable value for a period while redevelopment occurs; the commission voted to adopt the requested certificates and related resolutions.
- Kalamazoo West Gateway Plan: The commission adopted the West Gateway land-use plan, which lays out a multi-block vision connecting Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College and downtown. Staff said the plan emphasizes walkability, context-sensitive infill (building heights generally four stories or lower in much of the plan area), and a strategy to proactively recruit developers who will build to the city’s vision. Commissioners asked planning staff to return with potential incentive tools and land-use implements to carry the plan forward.
- Purchase of properties to protect downtown water station: The commission authorized city purchase agreements for several parcels near a downtown water station to protect the city’s well field and water infrastructure; staff said the purchases secure buffer land important to water operations.
- MDOT Protect grant preliminary engineering: The commission accepted a subrecipient agreement that allows the city to begin preliminary engineering work tied to a larger Protect grant for stormwater and multi-modal work; staff emphasized the agreement covers initial engineering steps and that future construction agreements will follow.
- Consent and administrative items: The commission approved the consent agenda, which included multiple construction contracts, engineering supplements, grant acceptances, loan approvals and administrative updates. Notable consent items included contract changes for transmission and sewer rehabilitation work, approval of a transformational brownfield plan, an affordable housing agreement tied to a brownfield site, several Economic Development Corporation loans and acceptance of a Safe Routes to School grant for sidewalks and student safety improvements.
How the votes went: Most items passed on unanimous or near-unanimous roll-call votes; the Action Plan amendment had one abstention (Commissioner Bridal) recorded for an employment conflict. Where required, staff will return with contract documents, schedule change orders or final agreements for formal adoption.
Next steps: For grant-funded engineering work and large redevelopment projects, staff said future construction agreements and contract documents will be brought back to the commission. For the Action Plan substantial amendment, staff will distribute CDBG/HOME awards to recommended partner organizations after federal processing and HUD requirements are satisfied.
