The City of Kalamazoo is inviting residents, businesses, community partners, and anyone who lives, works, or plays downtown to take part in Design It! Downtown, a weeklong series of interactive events focused on experiencing, exploring, and shaping the future of downtown Kalamazoo. 

Taking place April 28 through May 4, this dynamic lineup is part of the Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 process and brings together local organizations, national experts, and community voices to reimagine what downtown can be. 

From hands-on workshops and walking experiences to panel discussions and open houses, each event offers a unique opportunity to engage with the spaces, ideas, and investments shaping downtown today and what comes next. 

“A great downtown doesn’t happen by accident,” said Deputy City Manager Rebekah Kik. “It’s shaped by the people who use it every day. This week is an opportunity for our community to come together, share ideas, and help create a downtown that reflects who we are and where we’re going.” 

A graphic with colorful speech bubbles showing descriptions of Imagine Kalamazoo Downtown events. Information is also included on this webpage.

Event Lineup:

From Plans to Place Open House

  • Tuesday, April 28 | 5–7 PM | Catalyst Center, 180 Water St 
  • Kick off the week by exploring major projects and investments shaping downtown Kalamazoo. This open house-style event highlights upcoming improvements, including Arcadia Creek Festival Place, Rose Street Plaza, and key street redesigns. The evening will also include remarks from downtown and city leaders. 

First 16 Feet Workshop with Yard & Co.

  • Wednesday, April 29 | 3–6 PM | Intersect Studio, Exchange Building, 155 W Michigan Ave Ste 1508 
  • Join Yard & Company (authors of the Downtown Development Authority’s Strategic Plan) for a hands-on workshop exploring how storefronts and street-level experiences shape how people interact with downtown. The session includes a guided walk and practical strategies for activation and placemaking. 

Downtown Business Breakfast (Stakeholder Event)

  • Thursday, April 30 | 8–10:30 AM | Invitation-only event for stakeholders 
  • Business owners and stakeholders will come together for a focused discussion on downtown opportunities and challenges, including economic development, business mix, and parking. The session will feature a presentation from Yard & Company on storefront, activation, and programming strategies. 

Walking Audit

  • Thursday, April 30 | 12–1 PM | Meet at South St & Farmers Alley 
  • See downtown through a new lens. This interactive walking experience invites participants to explore how downtown works for everyday trips while identifying opportunities for better navigation and connectivity, ending with free coffee and conversation at Caffè Casa. 

Downtown “Stickiness” Panel

  • Thursday, April 30 | 5–7:30 PM | KNAC, 315 W Michigan Ave 
  • What makes people choose to stay in Kalamazoo? Join LINK Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College, Greenleaf Hospitality Group, and Yard & Company for a social gathering and discussion on attracting and retaining young professionals and creating a downtown where people want to be and stay. 

Using Data to Understand Downtown

  • Friday, May 1 | 11 AM–12:30 PM | Catalyst Center, 180 Water St, Ste 2005 
  • Join Jane Ghosh of Discover Kalamazoo to explore how cities are using data to better understand patterns, guide investments, and strengthen downtowns. Lunch will be provided. RSVP is required for this event at www.kalamazoocity.org/RSVP.  

Walking Scavenger Hunt

  • Friday, May 1 | 4–5 PM | Meet at Rose St & Michigan Ave 
  • Explore downtown Kalamazoo in a whole new way. This interactive experience invites participants to find key locations, share their perspective on navigation and wayfinding, and help shape future improvements, ending with free ice cream at Spirit of Kalamazoo. 

Design It! Downtown Meeting

  • Friday, May 1 | 5–8 PM | City Centre, 125 S Kalamazoo Mall 
  • Stop by during Art Hop to share your ideas and priorities for downtown Kalamazoo. This drop-in, open house-style event features interactive activities and opportunities to connect with City staff as part of the Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 process. This event also serves as the downtown neighborhood meeting for the Design It! phase of Imagine Kalamazoo 2035. 

Arts & Culture Panel Discussion

  • Monday, May 4 | 3–5 PM | KNAC, 315 W Michigan Ave 
  • Join an engaging panel moderated by Troy Thrash, CEO of the Air Zoo, and organized by Crawlspace Comedy Theatre, exploring how arts, culture, and placemaking shape a vibrant downtown through creative spaces, public art, and programming. 

Downtown Kalamazoo is evolving, with new investments and opportunities on the horizon. Design It! Downtown creates space for the community to not only learn about what’s happening, but to directly shape it. By bringing people together to explore how downtown works today, the series aims to build a more vibrant, connected, and welcoming downtown for years to come.