Work underway to prepare future site of $300M arena in downtown Kalamazoo
Renderings of the downtown Kalamazoo Event Center by Tower Pinkster displayed during Southwest Michigan Firsts inaugural state of economic development at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.© Joel Bissell/mlive.com/TNS
KALAMAZOO, MI — Construction crews are working on the foundation of the new $300 million downtown arena.
Catalyst Development Co. is planning for the Kalamazoo Event Center to span four blocks on the southeast corner of North Westnedge Avenue and West Kalamazoo Avenue.
Work at the future site of a new arena in Kalamazoo continues on the week of Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.© (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea/mlive.com/TNS
A foundation permit was issued for the arena site by the city’s building division, which allows digging for piers on which the arena foundation will be built, city of Kalamazoo Communications Director Mike Smith said.
Work at the future site of a new arena in Kalamazoo continues on the week of Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.© (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea/mlive.com/TNS
Approval of the site plan for the 426,000-square-foot building is still pending at the city. Smith said on Dec. 20 that it remained under review because some items still outstanding needed to be adjusted.
A Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) permit has also been issued for earthwork to facilitate redevelopment of the property.
Heavy machinery can now be seen motoring around the site daily, pushing piles of dirt around the approximately four-block area on the west end of downtown where the new arena will go. The EGLE permit is related to the earth movement, Smith said.
Work at the future site of a new arena in Kalamazoo continues on the week of Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.© (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea/mlive.com/TNS
The new downtown arena is envisioned as the future home for Western Michigan University hockey, men’s basketball and women’s basketball, K Wings hockey, as well as a place for concerts and other events.
Officials anticipate an updated plan will be submitted to the site plan review committee. If the remaining items are addressed on the next revision, the site plan would be approved, Smith said.
Bill Johnston, chairman of Greenleaf Companies and Catalyst Development spoke about the project when plans were first announced in early 2023. It could take up to four years to build, which would put the completion date in 2028.
Work at the future site of a new arena in Kalamazoo continues on the week of Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.© (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea/mlive.com/TNS
In September, residents were invited to review the site plans and offer feedback prior to the site plan review.
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Crews are working to prepare for construction of a new arena and events center in downtown Kalamazoo. Work is seen pictured in mid December, 2024.© (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea/mlive.com/TNS
