Are Kzoo Businesses In Danger of Closing Because of Construction?

Construction season in Michigan no matter where you go is an inconvenience, and many people feel that idea is especially true when it’s more for beautification than out of necessity. But much of the construction that’s happening in Kalamazoo currently is a necessary fix, although many business owners throughout the area have had serious complaints that there is way too much of it going on at the same time.

They feel this has caused many businesses to be in fear of closing down. There are also statistics to back up some of the issues that some businesses have had, and they show that sales are down, particularly because people are having a harder time making their way to these businesses.

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WWMT recently reported that the city of Kalamazoo has partnered with MetroLink and offers complimentary rides to and from their homes to select Kalamazoo businesses. The following are the businesses that are currently being offered rides to, which rest in the Westedge construction area:

Mid-Town Fresh
Ace Hardware
Oak Street Health
PNC Bank
Midtown Marketplace
Everside Health
Happy’s Pizza
Paris Cleaners
Heilman’s Nuts and Confections

Are Kalamazoo Businesses In Danger of Closing?

We recently spoke to Schultz's Treat Street who is currently suffering significant financial losses because of the construction on Whites and Oakland Drive. This is the time of the year when they need to make the most of their money because winter and fall are not necessarily ice cream seasons.

The city of Kalamazoo is continuing to do its best to help out local businesses, as the Director and city engineer for the Kalamazoo Department of Public Services James Baker told WWMT. There have been many complaints that the construction is taking too long, which elaborates on the reasonings behind this:

Kalamazoo's ongoing projects are part of the city's "well-fed, less led" mission which aims to clean up the water systems on the south side. That connection underground at Crosstown Parkway is pretty big, we’ve got to tap in 24-inch pipes underground. Those pipes are 6 feet deep, at least. if there’s a lot of heavy rain, which we have experienced to amount of that, it does impact their schedules.

What more do you think the city could do to help out the struggling businesses?

2024 Oakwood/Westnedge/Whites/Northside Construction In Kalamazoo

Below you will find a photo gallery with information provided by the City of Kalamazoo, that will detail the construction project, the timeline, and alternate routes you may need to take.