KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Housing prices continue to rise across West Michigan as demand outpaces supply. City leaders are being forced to think of new ways to solve the housing crises in their communities.
Kalamazoo City Commission got its first look at a study Monday night that leans into the potential of reimagining business corridors in the city. The study places emphasis on urban density outside of the city core. It looks at underutilized commercial properties and large, outdated surface parking lots as areas to focus on creating single- and multi-family housing units.
Ryan Kilpatrick of Flywheel, the company who looked in to the city’s housing issues, said Kalamazoo is long past the need for large commercial areas that take up valuable space. Flywheel has identified several areas that could benefit from reimagination. City staff told the commission they are looking at properties where the infrastructure is already in place to save that cost for developers…