Construction on Kalamazoo Avenue is scheduled to start in mid-to-late July 2026.
The project is the first major construction phase of the city’s Streets for All initiative, a plan to convert downtown’s one-way street network to two-way traffic and rebuild the corridor for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. City staff briefed the Kalamazoo City Commission’s Committee of the Whole on June 15 on what to expect during construction and how the city plans to keep residents and businesses informed.
What’s being built
The 2026 construction phase runs from west of Westnedge to around Pitcher Street along Kalamazoo Avenue. Work will proceed in segments of two to three blocks at a time, with at least one lane of Kalamazoo Avenue remaining open throughout, except in the event of unexpected utility complications, which the city said it would announce in advance via media release.
The project goes well beyond resurfacing. Underground infrastructure along the corridor dates to the late 1800s and early 1900s. According to Director of Public Services James Baker, all water main between Park and Porter streets will be replaced as part of this work.
Other elements of the project include:
- Burial of overhead power lines on the north side of Kalamazoo Avenue, in coordination with Consumers Energy, freeing up space for pedestrians above ground
- Updated fiber infrastructure and “smart” traffic signals that communicate with each other
- All new sidewalks and curbing along the full length of the corridor, brought into ADA compliance
- Crosswalks at all intersections, including several that currently have none
- Pedestrian islands near the courthouse at Church Street and at Porter Street, where Christina Anderson, the city’s Deputy Director of Community Planning and Economic Development, noted high levels of foot traffic near entertainment businesses
- A redesigned intersection at Porter Street, Kalamazoo Avenue, and the railroad crossing — Anderson described the current situation plainly: “If you are a pedestrian there now and you get your coffee at Water Street and you’re walking over to Bell’s to see a show, where you cross is not entirely clear.”
- More than 80 new street trees, installed using a cell-based root system new to Kalamazoo — designed to prevent soil compaction and support long-term tree health
- New overhead and pedestrian-scale lighting along the full corridor
Park Street will remain open throughout construction. Work completed on that intersection in prior years — including water main and underground electrical — will not need to be redone.
The bigger picture
Kalamazoo Avenue is the first Streets for All construction project. When the full initiative is complete, downtown’s one-way loop will become a two-way street network. But residents shouldn’t expect to see two-way traffic on Kalamazoo Avenue this year or next — staff confirmed that the street will be “two-way ready” at the end of the 2027 construction season, with the full routing changes taking effect in 2028, timed to align with the opening of the new event center.
Future construction phases, including work on West Main and Douglas, are expected to go out for bids later this year.
Staying informed
The city is setting up a three-tier communication system for the project. Properties directly on or adjacent to Kalamazoo Avenue will receive frequent updates tied to their specific blocks. Downtown businesses will receive biweekly updates. The general public can opt in to an email list for project milestones and traffic pattern changes; the city’s website will serve as the central information hub.
For urgent construction issues — blocked driveway access, water service interruption — the city is establishing a 24-hour answering service connected to the on-site construction management team.
A public meeting on the construction is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Metro Transit, 530 N. Rose Street. The meeting will be recorded and shared afterward.
The city is also planning a groundbreaking event before construction begins.
