The I-94 Business Loop is a major thouroughfare for residents and vistors to the Kalamazoo area. As the business loop exits I-94, it traverses through Kalamazoo Charter Township and the City of Kalamazoo. Along the way, it passes along neighborhhods, area businesses and county facilities like the county fair grounds.

To assist in the improvement and enhancement of the linkages between the Township, City and County along the business loop, the three governments sought assistance from the Partnerships for Change program. The Partnerships for Change Program is designed to foster new and expanded cooperation between cities, townships and villages in developing and carrying out local land use policies that contribute to the preservation of cultural and natural resources.

Administered by the Land Information Access Association through a grant of services, work on the Gateway Planning Project began in late July.