Kalamazoo’s Arena Project Faces Backlash Over Funding Priorities

There are many out there who feel that the new arena that is being built downtown Kalamazoo is a huge waste of money and resources. City residents voted twice that they did not want the event center, and yet it was announced that the original proposed $300 million project would go forward, eventually leading to what is currently a $515 million project.

There are many who feel that the future home of the K Wings, and the Western Michigan Broncos, who already have arenas to play at, is a complete waste of money that should’ve been spent on Kalamazoo's housing crisis.

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A local Kalamazoo resident expressed her concerns after seeing the new Kalamazoo arena TikTok account:

I understand the idea of an indoor sports center and all the concessions and benefits for the community, but if families don’t have the time, money, transportation, ability, or any of the other barriers that ALICE households face when trying to attend or be involved in events, what’s the point?

She went on to discuss her displeasure of the land around the arena and how the city will continue to level whatever grounds are needed to make way for the new arena

 It’s a bunch of BS trying to make this ugly-ass hunk of metal relatable—I guess for those who don’t believe in the climate crisis. These pictures are just sad, seeing the earth bare, knowing that what we need is more mature trees and mature green spaces. When will Kalamazoo prioritize that?

Do you also feel like this is a huge waste of money, or do you feel it will be good for the city of Kalamazoo?