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County schedules public hearing on Maple Hill Leaseholds brownfield plan after BRA recommendation
Summary
The Kalamazoo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority recommended a local brownfield plan for 6565 West Main (Maple Hill Leaseholds LLC); the county will hold a public hearing on Aug. 19 and may consider adopting the plan afterward. Developers estimated $12 million private investment, 31 new full‑time jobs and retention of about 170 jobs.
The Kalamazoo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority presented a local brownfield plan for the former Westside Medical building at 6565 West Main Street in Oshtemo Township and asked the county to set a public hearing for Aug. 19.
Macy Walters, representing the BRA, said the site covers about 11.14 acres and the redevelopment will produce roughly 49,000 square feet of commercial space. "We’re anticipating $12,000,000 of private investment" and Walters said the project is expected to retain about 170 jobs while adding an estimated 31 full‑time jobs. The plan would redevelop a functionally obsolete structure and includes demolition and environmental due diligence; Walters said some lead‑lined walls required remediation.
Walters outlined tax‑increment details in the packet: the developer expects just over $900,000 in eligible expenses that could be reimbursed through tax capture, with local taxes eligible to capture just under $800,000. She also said roughly $21,000 of captured state taxes would go to the State of Michigan Brownfield Redevelopment Fund. Walters emphasized that these state tax captures are handled under brownfield rules and, in her words, "the per pupil funding is not impacted for the local school districts"—schools continue to receive their statutory share.
Walters told commissioners the BRA voted to recommend the plan on June 26 and Oshtemo Township adopted a supporting resolution on July 8. She requested the Board set a public hearing for Aug. 19 and to consider adopting a resolution to approve the plan immediately following that hearing.
Developer Jim Vandenberg of Maple Auto Group described site amenities and community benefits, including walking paths, meeting space available to local charities, energy‑efficient building systems and stormwater retention features. "We're trying to make this something special," Vandenberg said, noting the project would allow the business to expand into an 11‑acre site while keeping its existing location.
What happens next: The Board is being asked to set a public hearing for Aug. 19; following the hearing the Board may consider adopting the plan. The transcript records the request but no final county vote was taken during the July 15 meeting.
