Kalamazoo Advances Housing Development with Approval of Brownfield Plan

Since 2020, the City of Kalamazoo has invested nearly $29 million in affordable housing projects and programs, and there’s more to come.”

-Jamie McCarthy, the City of Kalamazoo’s Development Manager

A significant step forward in addressing Kalamazoo’s housing needs was achieved on December 2, as the City Commission approved the Act 381 Brownfield Plan to redevelop 3607, 3619, and 3625 West Michigan Avenue. The project, known as Bronco Commons, aims to revitalize a blighted site on the west side of Western Michigan University with 214 new residential units.

Transforming a Blighted Site into a Housing Hub

The Bronco Commons project will convert a vacant, deteriorating building into a vibrant multi-family housing development. The site will feature a mix of 82 studio apartments, 70 one-bedroom units, and 62 two-bedroom units, with 42 units designated as income-qualified housing. These affordable units will remain income-restricted for 18 years, offering rental rates accessible to households earning 70-95% of the Area Median Income for Kalamazoo County.

Brownfield Redevelopment Plan Details

Approved under Michigan’s Act 381, the Brownfield Plan facilitates the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to reimburse the developer for eligible costs associated with the redevelopment. These costs include:

• Environmental Activities: Site assessments, asbestos and lead surveys, and due care compliance, totaling $62,100.
• Site Preparation and Infrastructure: Grading, stormwater systems, and utility improvements, estimated at $7,020,000.
• Affordable Housing Support: $3,641,328 allocated to cover financing gaps for income-qualified units.
• Additional Administrative and Contingency Costs: $1,050,500.

Once complete, the property’s taxable value is projected to increase from $451,745 to $11,100,000, generating substantial tax revenue to support the city’s economy and future redevelopment initiatives.

Supporting Kalamazoo’s Growing Housing Demand

The development addresses a critical housing shortfall identified in the Kalamazoo County Housing Plan, which called for 7,750 new units by 2030, including 1,200 in low- and mid-rise apartments. Bronco Commons will contribute 18% of the needed units in this category while supporting local job growth driven by major employers like Pfizer and Landscape Forms.

Notable Brownfield Redevelopment Projects

• Stryker Research and Development Facility: A former industrial site was transformed into a cutting-edge research and development hub for Stryker Corporation, significantly boosting local employment and innovation in medical technologies.
• Midlink Business Park: Once a General Motors stamping plant, this site is now a thriving mixed-use business park, attracting businesses and revitalizing the economy.
• Corner@Drake: A previously contaminated property was redeveloped into a bustling commercial center featuring retail stores and restaurants, enhancing the area’s appeal.
• Metal Mechanics, Inc.: Redevelopment supported the expansion of this manufacturing company, fostering job creation and industrial growth.
• Clark Logic: This initiative converted a brownfield site into operational facilities for a logistics and warehousing company, bolstering the local industrial sector.

Addressing Environmental Challenges

Kalamazoo has also undertaken significant remediation efforts at Superfund sites:

• Allied Paper, Inc./Portage Creek/Kalamazoo River: Extensive cleanup of PCB-contaminated areas involved sediment removal, waste capping, and long-term monitoring to restore environmental health.
• Michigan Disposal (Cork Street Landfill): Once a city dump, this site underwent remediation to mitigate contaminants like arsenic and PCBs, preventing further environmental degradation.