In 2021, the City of Kalamazoo will continue investing in safety and walkability in neighborhoods. Several new sections of sidewalk have been proposed to further connect neighborhoods along with a new segment of non-motorized path near Western Michigan University’s campus along Howard Street. In addition, the Foundation for Excellence continues to fund nearly $1 million of sidewalk repair and replacement annually all over the city.
Howard Street Pedestrian Pathway
Construction started in March and was completed in September on a new eight-foot-wide pedestrian pathway along Howard Street between Stadium and W Michigan. This path was installed on the north side of Howard and connect two sections of existing pathway along the street.
Sidewalk Repair and Replacement
The Foundation for Excellence has invested nearly $1 million per year in sidewalk repair and replacement for the past two years, and this investment will continue in 2021. This work is happening throughout the city, improving walkability on the existing sidewalk network by addressing sections that have been overgrown, damaged by roots, or are otherwise damaged or difficult to navigate. You can already see the results of this project in every neighborhood in the city- just look for the newly poured sections of sidewalk!
Projects to repair sidewalks are prioritized by areas identified in neighborhood plans and/or by being within a 1/4 mile of school, commercial area, or a park based on the 2025 Master Plan. Other considerations are if roadway work is being completed in the area and if it is a key connection for other transportation methods, like a bus stop.
The following sections of sidewalk are planned for repair and replacement in 2021.
COMPLETED
Boswell Dr (Lancaster to Berkshire)
Woodward Ave (Kalamazoo to Dunkley)
LuLu St (Cobb to Westnedge)
E Main St (Michigan to Wallace)
Nottingham Ave (Portage to Somerset)
Bloomfield Ave (Portage to Mayfair St)
Dorchester Ave (Portage to Penway)
Golfview Ave (Portage to Penway)
N Church Street (North St to Norway Ave)
Ellendale (Middlebury to Edinburgh)
W Hopkins St (Park to Westnedge)
Eldridge Dr (Michigan to Berkshire)
Hoover St (Springmont to Parkview)
UNDERWAY
Edinburgh Dr (Deadend to Berkshire)
Hazel Ave - Gap Fill (Barnard to Oakland)
Broadway Dr - Gap Fill (Parkview to Kensington)
PLANNED
Academy Street – RR (Michigan to Catherine)
Drexel Pl (Westnedge to Park)
W. Hopkins (Park to Edwards)
E Frank St – RR (Harrison to Scudder)
South St (Oakland to Westnedge)
Cedar St (Oak to Park)
Phelps (E Michigan to E Main)
Edwin Ave (Highland to E Main)
Highland (Phelps to Trimble)
Lakeway Ave (Lovers to Pennway)
Inkster Ave (Bronson to Westnedge)
March St (Miller to Lake)
Crosstown Pkwy (Westnedge to Stockbridge)
Stockbridge Ave (Crosstown to Burdick)
W Emerson St (Burdick to Deadend)
New Sidewalk Installation
Several sections of new sidewalk are planned for installation in 2021. Projects to construct new sidewalks are prioritized by areas identified in neighborhood plans and/or by being within a 1/4 mile of school, commercial area, or a park based on the 2025 Master Plan. Other considerations are if roadway work is being completed in the area and if it is a key connection for other transportation methods, like a bus stop.
New sections of sidewalk will be 5-feet-wide, installed entirely in the existing city owned right-of way, and would require the removal and replacement of a five- to six-foot wide section of any drives or walkways on each section of street. The contractor performing this work will be responsible for complete restoration to any areas disturbed during construction.
Waite Avenue from Benjamin/Evanston to Howard (West side of the street)
New sidewalk is planned for installation along Waite Avenue in 2021 to connect it north to Howard Street from where it currently ends near Evanston and Benjamin. In the future, this could be connected to the existing trail along Howard Street with a crosswalk or pedestrian island. This area was identified in the Oakland Drive/Winchell Neighborhood Plan 2020 as a priority to improve walkability. Construction will likely occur in the late summer or fall of 2021.
Rambling Road between Winchell and Stadium (East side of the street)
New sidewalk was installed this year along Rambling Road between Stadium and Winchell. This area was identified in the Oakland Drive/Winchell Neighborhood Plan 2020 as a priority to improve walkability.
Barnard Street from Springmont to Edgewood (Both sides of the street)
New sidewalk is planned along Barnard Street from Springmont to Edgewood. This street section was identified for new sidewalk in the Oakwood Neighborhood Plan to help achieve the neighborhood’s goal of improving walking conditions. Along with future sidewalk improvements planned on Hazel and Springmont, this section of sidewalk would provide a connectivity network for the neighborhood.
If you are a property owner who has questions or concerns about this planned sidewalk installation, please reach out to us by email at hello@kalamazoocity.org or call and leave us a message at (269) 226-6524. Our public services staff would be happy to discuss your property in more detail.