Project partners evaluate the strenghts and weaknesses of the I-94 Business Loop in the Kalamazoo Community

The City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Charter Township and Kalamazoo County were awarded a Partnerships for Change grant in the third round of funding to assist in the development of a inter-jurisdictional Corridor Plan for the I-94 Business Loop.

In starting this project, local officials acknowledged the connection between the business loop and environmental resources (such as the Kalamazoo River and Davis Creek), cultural resources (such as the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds and Mayors’ Riverfront Park), and recreational resources (such as the planned linkages to the Kal-Haven Trail and the Red Arrow Golf Course). In addition, local officials acknowledged the connection between the business loop, surrounding neighborhoods, local businesses and first-time visitors to the community.

Among other things, the Corridor Plan addresses access management, non-motorized transportation, natural resources preservation, traffic, intersections and streetscaping. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) provided technical assistance during this process.

Please visit the Kalamazoo Community website for more information.

Update: The City of Kalamazoo has implemented several of the design and aesthetic recommendations from the plan. Last year, each jurisdiction adopted resolutions pledging $50,000 in matching funds to pursue a Transportation Enhancement Grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation. Local officials are currently putting together the grant application to target three separate projects for 2011-2012:

1. Fourteen directional signs;

2. A large "Welcome to Kalamazoo" sign; and

3. A redesign of the Lake Street intersection (the Lake Street intersection is already on MDOT's scheduled improvement list). Among other things, the redesigned intersection will include new pedestrian sidewalks.