Kalamazoo County commissioners authorize negotiations to form Events Center Assessment District Authority

Kalamazoo County commissioners on July 1 authorized the county administrator and controller to enter contract negotiations with the City of Kalamazoo to form a Kalamazoo County Events Center Assessment District Authority.

The motion, supported by Vice Chair Pro Tem Hepler and carried by an 8–0 vote, directs county staff to begin negotiations with the city on a formal agreement to establish an authority intended to oversee an events center. Vice Chair Pro Tem Hepler asked that the administrator include “as many of the purchasing policies and the building policies that we can follow from the county” during negotiations to ensure county standards are preserved.

Chair (presiding) said the board expects “an open competitive process” as the project moves toward a construction phase and emphasized transparency in procurement and construction decisions. The board’s vote authorizes staff to proceed with contract talks; commissioners indicated additional approvals will be required at later milestones, including selection of a construction manager and decisions on financing the project.

Administrator Kellens told the board staff has received a final design for the parking garage and issued a request for proposals for a construction manager, which the county will use to finalize schedules and financing options for related capital work.

Next steps include negotiation of the intergovernmental agreement with the city, staff reports back to the board with recommended procurement policies and a construction-manager selection process, and subsequent board approvals for financing and construction actions.