The Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership is seeking passionate, engaged community members to apply for a seat on one of four Citizen Coalitions by November 1, 2019.

Launched this year, the Citizen Coalitions were created to empower diverse community stakeholders in guiding the Partnership’s investments, programs and services in four areas of impact key to the success of the Downtown: People, Place, Experience and Growth.

“In our first year, we have been able to draw from the diverse voices and expertise of our members to inform and enhance our programs and services,” Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership President Andrew Haan said. “Going into year two, we are eager to put their feedback into action as Coalition members continue to help shape our priorities going forward.”

Over the course of 2019, Coalition members worked collaboratively to set goals and priorities for the work the Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership does in each area of impact, offering ideas to enhance ongoing initiatives and brainstorming innovative ways to approach Downtown challenges.

“Coalition members are thinking through public art projects, public space activation, discussing inclusivity, evaluating infrastructure needs, brainstorming approaches to support business growth, and helping shape events like our first annual SkeleTour, Beats on Bates and our holiday series,” said Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership Vice President Jennifer Kitson Jelenek. “The input and feedback from our Coalition members has already made a tangible impact on Downtown.”

Each Coalition has a different area of focus, but all work is guided by six key values identified by the Board: inclusion, engagement, transparency, collaboration, transformation and innovation.

  • The Coalition for People will work to strengthen links with local organizations and engage the diverse Downtown populations. Members will focus on achievement of inclusive growth and engagement, soliciting feedback from local stakeholders and identifying how initiatives can better serve the Downtown community
  • The Coalition for Place will work to plan and implement an inviting environment Downtown. Members will help identify and prioritize key public infrastructure investments, including connectivity and mobility improvements, sidewalks, street furniture, lighting and wayfinding.
  • The Coalition for Experience will work to curate an engaging Downtown culture. Members will generate ideas for events, programs, and public art to bring people Downtown, and make creative suggestions to market and promote the Downtown and its businesses.
  • The Coalition for Growth will focus on driving entrepreneurship and investment Downtown. Members will guide efforts to support existing businesses Downtown, attract new businesses, provide support to start-ups determine incentives for Downtown businesses and work collaboratively with the community’s anchor institutions.

Coalitions meet every other month, or six times annually. Members are asked to commit to a term of two years.

Anyone committed to enhancing Downtown Kalamazoo is encouraged to submit an application to become a Coalition member. Applications are due Friday, November 1.

About Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership

Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership is a private, non-profit organization that works with both the public and private sectors in preserving and enhancing the economic health of Kalamazoo’s downtown area and, in turn, the Kalamazoo community. In conjunction with its affiliate organizations, it manages a full range of activities that include capital improvement projects, business development and recruitment programs, image marketing and event planning in order to establish Downtown Kalamazoo as an accessible, diverse, green, progressive and vibrant urban center. For more information, visit downtownkalamazoo.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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