The proposal to build an arena/convention center in downtown Kalamazoo has returned after a decade of dormancy.
Plans revealed for new arena in downtown Kalamazoo
Residents excited, concerned over $300M event center planned for Kalamazoo
10 things to know about the new $300M arena planned for downtown Kalamazoo
‘A dream that hasn’t come true’: Why prior plans to build a downtown Kalamazoo arena flopped
County finalizes land sale for $300M arena in downtown Kalamazoo
The idea originated decades ago as one of a series of plans to revitalize downtown Kalamazoo. In the 1990s, downtown was legitimately struggling, with several major retailers and employers leaving the area. Converting the Kalamazoo Mall to a one-way street and uncovering Arcadia Creek were implemented to mixed results. The revitalization of downtown wasn't due to these government projects, however, but to conversion of old buildings to apartments, allowing more people to live downtown.
The good news is that this proposal will not be funded by tax dollars. Previous versions of the proposal would have imposed a tax on local hotels. This was never implemented due to bipartisan opposition to corporate welfare.
Questions remain about some aspects of the proposal. WMU's hockey and basketball games and Kalamazoo Wings hockey would move to the arena, despite attendance figures that don't require a larger venue. WMU will likely need buses to bus students to the arena to avoid dropoff in student attendance for their games.
Another question is whether there is sufficient parking for events that actually do fill the arena to capacity. (The proposal does include a parking ramp.)
The most notable aspect of the new proposal is that it includes giveaways to minority activists. It gives $6 million to the Northside Association, and includes set-asides for minority businesses. The proposal originally referenced BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and Persons of Color), but this was replaced with "underserved and historically underrepresented" people. With the Supreme Court likely to strike down affirmative action soon, racial giveaways could cause problems for this proposal.
This blog has plenty of coverage of previous versions of this proposal.
Forum of Discontent
Arena of Conflict
Dome of Deceit
Mackinac Center on the Arena
Kitchens' Tossed Salad
Who Supports the Arena?
Gazette Supports the Arena
No Arena, for Now
Rejecting the Arena
Bad Ideas Never Go Away
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