Kalamazoo County commissioners approved financing tools September 1 that support two large housing developments planned for Oshtemo Township and Texas Township.
The board voted unanimously, following a public hearing, to adopt a brownfield redevelopment plan for West Main 1, LLC’s proposed West Main Villages development on roughly 48.5 acres in Oshtemo Township, across from Advia Credit Union between 9th Street and US-131. County planning documents describe the project as 444 new residential units — 108 for-sale duplex-style homes and 336 multi-family rental units — plus 50,000 square feet of new commercial space. Sixty-six of the rental units, an estimated mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, would be income-restricted at 80% of the area median income for 12 years. Planned amenities include a shared “Central Park” with a clubhouse, pool, pickleball courts, and walking paths.
County documents put the project’s total capital investment at an estimated $117 million, with construction expected to begin this fall and full build-out by summer 2029. The brownfield plan the county adopted allows the developer to be reimbursed up to $39.6 million over 30 years through tax increment financing; a third-party financial review concluded the project would not be feasible without that support. Final sign-off on the financing still requires approval from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
Commissioners also approved a project plan and up to $100 million in Economic Development Corporation (EDC) bonds for a project proposed by Heritage Community of Kalamazoo, a nonprofit that operates a senior living campus in the city. The project has two parts: a new 105-unit active adult community called The Halstead, with a clubhouse and pickleball courts, on West Q Avenue in Texas Township, and renovations to Heritage Community’s existing campus on Portage Street, Golden Drive, and Phillips Street in the city, where roughly 381 residents currently live across independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing units. County documents put the total estimated cost of improvements at just under $105 million, to be repaid by Heritage Community, with no county budget dollars involved. The project plan still needs approval from the City of Kalamazoo and Texas Township, and the EDC will consider final bond authorization later this month.
