KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The City of Kalamazoo is notifying the public of several utility projects set to begin May 13 in preparation of its planned event center.
Set in the city’s northwest part of downtown, these projects include upgrades to gas, electric, water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities.
Improvement work will start Monday, May 13 on Westnedge Avenue between Kalamazoo Avenue and Michigan Avenue. This section will be closed to through traffic, according to officials.
Developers must reroute utilities running under Cooley Street and Eleanor Street, which have been vacated to make way for the event center. While the reroutes take place, the city said it will oversize the water and wastewater utilities to create redundancy and improve the systems.
Additionally, Consumers Energy will be upgrading their gas and electric utilities in the area, including a new duct bank under Kalamazoo Avenue, Water Street, and Park Street.
Consumers’ substation on Cooley Street will be expanded, as part of the company’s $5.2 million investment to improve reliability and supply power for projects including the event center.
Utility upgrades will be completed in phases in coordination with other projects to minimize traffic disruption, but lane reductions and closures are expected.
The city said drivers should anticipate delays and seek alternate routes when possible. Local access for homes and businesses in the area will be maintained, according to officials.
Nearby work on Ransom Street Michikal Street will be coordinated to make sure detour routes are available.
More information, including a project overview, current work areas, and detours can be found on the city’s website.