KVRT Placemaking Project
The Stuart Historic Neighborhood Association and the City of Kalamazoo are working together to transform the public space that runs along the Kalamazoo Valley River Trail (KVRT) at the corner of Kalamazoo and Westnedge Ave.
"Placemaking" Defined
Placemaking is a process used to redesign a public space to increase the connection people feel towards it.
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The image below shows the space we want to transform into the heart and entryway of our neighborhood.
More About The Space
The space we are looking to transform is at the corner of Kalamazoo and Westnedge Ave and has the KVRT trail running through it.
The image below shows the boundaries of the two parcels of land, "409 N Westnedge Ave" and 528 W Kalamazoo Ave". This land is owned by the City of Kalamazoo.
The Design Workshops
To kick-off the placemaking process, three back-to-back design workshops for residents, businesses, and city and county staff have been scheduled in July 2024. Lunch and light refreshments will be provided.
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Registration is FREE. To register, please click on the links below.
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Residents Workshop | Saturday, July 20
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Businesses Workshop | Monday, July 22
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City and County Staff Workshop | Tuesday, July 23
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All workshops are from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Woodward School.
A Bit of History
The images below show how the space has changed over the last 200 years. The first image shows how the site was used in the 1800s for the Kalamazoo – South Haven Railroad Roadhouse and Turn Table. The turn table was approximately 75 feet in diameter and included six stalls made of bricks, making this a very active area with trains coming and going in multiple directions.
1800s
1918
Post 1930s