The Kalamazoo City Commission approved the Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 strategic vision on October 19, with language on anti-racism and gun violence to be added.
The vote followed a Committee of the Whole work session earlier that evening. It centered on the 10-year framework that will guide city priorities, services and budget decisions.
What the plan sets out
The vision statement describes a city where “all Kalamazoo neighborhoods are supported by sustainable, responsive, and accessible services.” The document organizes that goal into eight areas: arts, culture and placemaking; community trust and safety; economic vitality; effective city operations; the environment; housing; transportation; and youth and family. Five guiding principles are meant to run through all of them: continuous engagement; diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility; economic mobility; sustainability; and operational excellence.
City staff said more than 5,100 points of contact, including meetings, surveys and activities, shaped the plan since the process began in fall 2024. They clarified that this figure counts participation, not unique individuals.
What commissioners asked about
Commissioners asked how engagement data was weighed against other data sources, how the guiding principles relate to the eight goals, and how the vision will be put into practice. They also asked about the role of gun violence and the Blueprint for Peace in the document. Staff said the vision is intended as a living document that can be updated.
Before the vote, commissioners proposed two additions. One would add an anti-racist lens to the language on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. The other would reference the Blueprint for Peace and steps to reduce and eliminate gun violence under community trust and safety.
What residents said
Speakers representing the West Edge Hill Neighborhood Association, LISC Kalamazoo and the Northside Association for Community Development supported adopting the vision. Other residents asked that the plan include specific objectives on housing for unhoused residents.
What comes next
The vision sets high-level goals. The city’s master plan will carry the specific strategies and ways to measure progress. Staff said a draft implementation matrix could be ready for review before the end of the year, with internal staff focus groups beginning this week. A commission retreat in early 2027 will begin setting priorities for 2028.
The full Committee of the Whole and business meeting recordings are available to watch on Public Media Network.
