To create a dynamic and vibrant, 24-hour downtown that ensures an economic environment which is attractive to residents, businesses, consumers and visitors alike, both now and in the future. 1999 was a transition year for Kalamazoo’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) from project planning and development to changes in staffing, we continue to move closer to the vision. Our biggest challenges and accomplishments in 1999 include Project Downtown, DDA’s Design/Facade/Rehab Programs and new strategies for Marketing and Special Events.

• Preliminary design has been completed for the East Gateways into Downtown Kalamazoo which includes E. Michigan Ave from Walbridge to the Kalamazoo River. The design will include the "quilt-pattern" landscaping improvements and a stone fountain in the art deco style. Streetscape designs will contain pedestrian lighting and flower plantings in the curblawn along the entire length of the project.

• Due to several outstanding issues of the downtown traffic study, the Project Downtown Team has delayed the West Gateway project. The potential reconfiguration of street intersections and two-way traffic patterns in the impacted design area have required further review.

• A comprehensive "Wayfinding" signage system has been developed which will help navigate people into and around the downtown area. Trailblazing signs will be used to guide visitors from the highways and outlying areas; vehicle and pedestrian signs will guide visitors to parking and attractions once they arrive downtown. Preliminary design is complete. Final fabrication, installation, location and color selection were issues discussed and resolved in 1999 with representatives from MDOT.

• Preliminary designs for traffic calming have been developed for Michigan Avenue which would include reducing the total number of lanes by two. MDOT approval is required for implementation. Renewed discussions regarding the conversion of Michigan Avenue to two-way traffic have altered the proposed 2000 date for implementation of the current traffic calming concept.
  
  
• A feasibility study initiated by the DDA produced findings regarding the conversion of South St., Lovell St. and Edward St. to two-way within a designated area in downtown. The results indicated that the conversion could be made for approximately $700,000 and that over 100 on-street parking spaces would need to be removed. The findings were presented in October 1999 to the public. The lack of community consensus on the benefits of converting to two-way and the request to further investigate two-way traffic on Michigan Ave. has prompted the City and DDA to consider a comprehensive downtown traffic study which will look at physical and economic impacts.

• The traffic study is expected to be completed and recommendations prepared by the end of 2000.

• Significant progress has been made toward the development of a bus transfer station to alleviate bus congestion on Rose and Michigan Avenues. This project is being spearheaded by the City of Kalamazoo Department of Transportation (Metro Transit). A total of $335,000 has already been approved in State and Federal funding. An additional $2.8 million of the projected $6 million project has been requested and is subject to Congressional appropriation in the FY 2000 Federal Transportation budget. If this funding is secured it will allow for site verification, preliminary design and environmental analysis. Phase 2 would include land acquisition, demolition and relocation. Phase 3 is facility construction. Each
phase would utilize 80 percent Federal Capital funding and 20 percent State funding.

• The target date for completion is 2002.

• The South Kalamazoo Mall Project was completed in October 1998 to allow for a lane of vehicular access while maintaining a pedestrian-oriented environment. In general, we believe the community and merchants are very happy with the aesthetic design and the way it has functioned. We have received calls from across the country complimenting the design and implementation of the snowmelt system.
  
  
• The problem with the shifting bricks in the street required significant collaboration and analysis by the designers and engineers. Test patterns were installed in late 1998 and reviewed over the winter months to figure out the problem. It was determined that the fabric should be removed, sand mixture modified and brick pattern changed to correct the issue. In June the city and DDA selected a new design and worked out a remediation agreement with EDAW and Hoffman. The city and DDA would contribute no more than $10,000 to the remediation plan.
  
  
• Both the pedestrian link between Bronson Park and the Kalamazoo Mall and the public gathering space in the North Kalamazoo Mall were eliminated as projects for implementation.
  
  
• The DDA assisted Plazacorp with streetscape improvements around the renovated Globe Building. Using the newly approved downtown design standards as our guide, street trees, concrete pavers and lighting were installed around the entire block.

• The city of Kalamazoo has approved a Non-Motorized Transportation Plan which will link the Battle Creek Linear Parkway, the Kal-Haven Trail, the Portage Bicentennial Trail and the new Markin Glen Park to the City of Kalamazoo. This plan includes pedestrian and bike ways which converge in a central location in downtown Kalamazoo (utilizing the Arcadia Creek Linear Park), linking the riverfront with the universities and a spur which will also join the Kal-Haven Trail’s western trailhead at 10^th Street. The plan covers about 30 miles and involves 13 governmental units.
  
  
• Streetscape enhancement plans were developed for South Burdick Street between Lovell and Crosstown Parkway. The plan is a result of a partnership between the City, DDA, Bronson Hospital and area merchants and property owners. The goal is to provide a stronger link with Bronson Methodist Hospital and the core downtown retail area, to act as a renewed south entry and stimulate redevelopment along the South Burdick corridor.
  
  
• Preliminary design for an improved gateway west of downtown (beginning where the Project Downtown western gateway project ends to the WMU and K-College campuses) continues to be developed by the Gateway Coalition. The Coalition’s efforts are intended to complement and extend Project Downtown improvements by creating an enhanced linkage to downtown and K-College/WMU.
  
  
• New gateway improvements have been implemented on Park Street from Crosstown Parkway to South St. A new Park Street gateway sign: "Improving our Gateway to Downtown" was installed along with new historic street signs and gazebo at the Crosstown Ponds area.. This project is being spearheaded by Vine Ventures and the Vine Neighborhood Association.
  
  
• Gateway improvements are being planned for N. Westnedge Ave. to strengthen the linkage between downtown and the northside of Kalamazoo. This project is being spearheaded by NACD (Northside Area Community Development).

• The two biggest development announcements in 1999 were the closing and eventual purchase of the Gilmore Department Store and the sale of the Radisson Hotel. Both projects have been sold to local developers who are proposing multi-million dollar renovations.
  
  
• Major new downtown traffic generator projects are being discussed by community leaders including the DDA. Some of the possible projects which were discussed include a new arena and a joint venture between Bronson Hospital and WMU for the old hospital buildings. Key factors which will determine the successful development of projects like these are funding, traffic, parking and land assembly.
  
  
• The DDA continues to work with the city and area developers to plan long-term redevelopment strategies. Staff has developed a condominium approach for the revitalization of the Jacobson’s Home Store. Brown & Brown Recording has submitted a letter of intent to purchase the second floor for their recording studio and residence. A developer was selected by the city to submit plans for the redevelopment of the Speareflex Block (a brownfield redevelopment site) for residential lofts and commercial uses.

• Redevelopment of the former Jacobson’s Apparel Store into the Epic Center, an 87,000 sq. ft. arts facility which will house offices of several nonprofit arts organizations, dance recitals and a 100 seat-theater. The facility will also bring a restaurant and wine bar into downtown.
  
  
• Business recruitment efforts have successfully attracted a variety of businesses that complement the theme for retail, entertainment and arts districts. The new businesses include Kalamazoo Ave. Antiques, The Depot, Whistle Stop Banquet Hall, Hollywood Nights and Little Cities Art Gallery. Expansion and retention projects included Café Gulistan, Java St. Brickside Café, Secretary of State and Fischel’s Deli.

• Downtown has about 1000 people residing in the DDA district. Residential is a critical component to downtown development, however, downtown Kalamazoo is unique in that it has great neighborhoods just walking distance from downtown (e.g., Stuart, Northside, Vine). Downtown living still provides a unique alternative. Since 1994 the number of loft apartment units in downtown Kalamazoo has grown from nine to 45. In addition, the former AT&T building is currently being renovated by local downtown developer, Tom Huff, to create an additional 40 units (approximate).

• A Building Re-use and Redevelopment Program has been developed to assist property owners with code compliance requirements which often pose a challenge in the rehab of older buildings. Four property owners participated in the Rehab Program in 1999.

• Free parking zones have been installed on Farmer’s Alley and on the Kalamazoo Mall.
  
  
• Customer satisfaction ratings have improved from a 71 percent approval rating in 1995 to 88 percent in 1998.
  
  
• Currently over 60 businesses participate in the parking validation program.
  
  
• Parking is free on weekdays after 5:00 p.m. at all meters and surface lots.
  
  
• Parking is free at all ramps, lots and street meters on weekends.
  
  
• Programs are currently being explored to expand free parking zones to serve core retailers and stabilize the parking system.
  
  
• Restructuring by National City Bank, P&U and other major downtown employers has created an decrease in use of downtown parking ramps. This in turn has contributed to the overall parking budget deficit.
  
  
• Began discussions on expanding 90-minute free parking

• Marketing dollars are leveraged to provide ongoing advertising and promotion for downtown.
  
  
• The existing marketing program is currently being analyzed to ensure that the approach being used is the most effective to reach our audience.
  
  
• 1999 was a very successful year with our "Fabulous Five" festivals and other annual downtown events like Super Saturday in June. New successes for 1999 were the Auto Show on the Mall, Gallery Hop and the 1^st Anniversary of the Mall.
  
  
• The Event Company was hired to coordinated DKI special events and create new strategies for merchants to leverage existing events. Merriam & others was hired to spearhead DKI’s marketing initiatives.

• To date $4.2 million in private sector funds and an additional $5.4 million in private funds has been raised to fund infrastructure improvements for Project Downtown.
  
  
• The DDA administration met with City and Financial institutions to plan for future funding programs to carry downtown beyond Project Downtown.

• Preparation of Request for Proposals for a Parking Ramp Assessment Study has begun. The study is expected to be completed this spring and will involve efforts to make short term improvements and define a comprehensive long range maintenance plan.
  
  
• AutoPark evaluated the status of technology enhancements and physical improvements to the parking system. A limited amount of landscaping and cosmetic improvements were implemented in 1999.
  
  
• DAA completed an assessment of the Arcadia Creek handrails and structural concrete to determine repair costs. It is estimated that the costs of painting and repairs will be $150,000 to $200,000.
  
  
• Annual sediment removal from the Arcadia Creek channel was canceled due to uncommon environmental conditions.

• High concentrations of environmental contamination was found in a few locations along the Arcadia Creek channel during the routine investigation in 1999. MDEQ required an additional cross-sample testing approach to better determine the extent of contamination. American Hydrology performed the tests and the report determined the overall condition to be below remediation standards. The soil will be removed in 2000 to a Type I landfill at a significantly lower cost.

• The Design Assistance, Facade Improvement and Building Rehab programs developed in 1998 continued to be an enormous revitalization tool for the DDA in 1999. The DDA approved a total six Design Assistance applications, ten Facade Improvement applications and four Building Rehab applications. The total amount of grant awards were $215,475 in 1999. The Facade program received the greatest interest and expended its entire budget. Efforts to market the program focused mainly on word-of-mouth strategies.

• The following businesses/properties have participated in one or more of the three improvement programs:

Significant staffing changes occurred within the DDA Administration. Four staff members including the DKI President left the organization. By the end of the year the DKI Board had hired a new President and a new Director of Downtown Planning and Development. The DDA greatly appreciated the commitment and support of Mary Staron, DKI Business Manager and Darlene Harris, DKI Administrative Assistant for their professionalism during the transition.