Downtown Developments

Jun 16, 2020

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DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENTS
June 16, 2020

Many downtown restaurants and retailers were able to reopen their doors to the community this week and are eager to welcome you back downtown safely!

The health and safety of all residents, visitors and employees is the top priority for our team at the Partnership and for downtown businesses. We encourage you to check with your favorite restaurants and retailers before you head downtown to learn about any changes and what to expect as a customer.

Community artists paints murals on Downtown business storefronts

In early June, the Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership worked hand-in-hand with Dream Scene Creative Placemaking and 36 different artists to create nearly 30 murals on Downtown storefronts on the topic of togetherness and community support.

Thank you to the artists who brought their distinct voices, creativity and talents; to the businesses who offered their storefronts as an outlet for expression; to Dream Scene Creative Placemaking for starting the conversation to get this project going; to Douglas and Son who donated materials to bring this project to fruition; to City Centre Market & Deli for being available all weekend to provide food and drink to artists; and to the community for making downtown Kalamazoo such an amazing place to gather.

As these boards start to come down from storefronts, these murals will be placed in public spaces across the downtown. Throughout this week we will be highlighting the participating artists and their creative expressions.

Follow us to see the amazing artwork created, or come Downtown and see them in-person.

Pictured: Calvin Green in front of his mural painted on the Cherri’s Chocol’art storefront.

KALAMAZOO RESIDENTS + VISITORS

How will you engage with Downtown Kalamazoo in COVID-19 recovery?

The Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership is focused on creating a safe and inviting environment downtown in response to COVID-19, and we need your input. We have created the following survey to better understand how you would like and feel comfortable to engage in public spaces and patronize local businesses this summer. Please take five minutes of your time to complete the survey below.

As a thank you for participating, respondents will be entered for a chance to win $100 Downtown Dollars, redeemable at 30+ downtown businesses.

Upcoming Events

Downtown Kalamazoo Mall businesses are bringing their retail and dining to the streets!

Every Friday this summer (June-September), the Kalamazoo Mall will be closed to vehicles so customers can freely shop, dine and experience downtown Kalamazoo businesses in a safe and comfortable environment.

If you are a downtown Kalamazoo Mall business interested and need more information, please contact Events Director Sue. Huggett.

Beats on Bates is a weekly summer live music series launching Wednesday, June 17 and will continue each Wednesday through September. Grab drinks or dinner at one of the Bates Alley businesses while enjoying live music.

Head downtown Wednesday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. for the first Beats on Bates of the summer featuring Yolonda Lavender!

View the full Beats on Bates summer lineup here.

Workout Wednesdays returns to downtown Kalamazoo … virtually. Amid the pandemic and with community safety top of mind, Workout Wednesdays will be hosted virtually throughout at least the month of June.

On June 17, join Valarie at Kalamazoobarre for Homebody Barre. This High Intensity, Low impact Barre workout is Ballet and Pilates inspired combined with strength training moves and holds to challenge all fitness levels! Join the class by visiting this link.

All classes begin at 5:30 p.m. and are free to attend – view the June schedule on our Facebook Event.

In the News

Downtown Kalamazoo bridal shop reopens and owner says it feels ‘fabulous’ (FOX17)

Virtual events a new normal for Downtown Kalamazoo’s Art Hop (MLive)

Protesters take to downtown Kalamazoo streets in response to George Floyd’s death (MLive)

Goo Goo Dolls release ‘Fearless’ video filmed at Kalamazoo State Theatre (MLive)

Downtown business owners, volunteers begin to cleanup in Kalamazoo (FOX17)

Volunteers help business owners clean up after night of protests, vandalism in Kalamazoo (MLive)

Kalamazoo Mall shops determined to ‘keep going’ after violent Monday night (FOX17)

Several hundred march in student-led protest against police brutality in downtown Kalamazoo (MLive)

Artists turn boarded up windows into painted murals in downtown Kalamazoo (WWMT)

Kalamazoo artists bring color to boarded up downtown businesses (MLive)

Studio Grill in Kalamazoo ‘excited’ to reopen for first time in months (FOX17)

Downtown Kalamazoo windows go from bleak to moving with a message from local artists

Public Meetings

All public meetings are on hold until further notice.

Downtown Projects

Stay up-to-date on all downtown construction and impacts to traffic by visiting:

downtownkalamazoo.org/construction

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Our mailing address is: 162 E. Michigan Avenue • Kalamazoo, MI 49007
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