Reconstruction and renovation work on the second- through fourth-floors of the 266 E. Michigan Ave. building, best known for the Coney Island Kalamazoo hot dog restaurant on its street level, is set to begin soon. The space, which has been unused for many years, will house 12 new loft-style apartments, including four affordable units.
Fulfilling dreams takes work and patience. Ask Derek Jeter, baseball Hall of Famer and Kalamazoo Central High School graduate. He worked hard to become a shortstop for the Yankees — and to give his alma mater top-tier baseball and softball fields. For the Kalamazoo community, the fields are also a dream come true.
It's been a while, but now Habitat for Humanity is working in Portage to put up houses as the county works to improve the affordable housing situation.
Philanthropy doesn't mean you have to have a lot of money, says Dr. Grace Lubwama, new CEO and President of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Every person can leave a legacy. "But if you have a heart of charity, and care about this community, and want to see this community thrive," she says, "the community foundation is your partner on that journey."
HRI has evaluated many locations in Kalamazoo County where a POD (Place of Dignity) Community could be placed, but so far, none proved feasible. The small modular homes will remain in storage this coming winter as the search continues.
There are three components to BlackWellness Network: Bridging the gap in the level of care provided to African-American; breaking the negative stigma that has traditionally been attached to seeking mental health services, and building stronger Black and Brown communities.
Girls Build Kalamazoo em-powers Black girls by teaching them to use drills, electric saws, sanders, and hand tools. The nonprofit, founded by Twala Lockett-Jones, realtor and author, also introduces principles of design and elements of construction — to build confidence in areas where women are often underrepresented.
A Kalamazoo hairstylist whose early childhood was spent in foster care remembers being bullied for her matted hair. She's launched Dream of Kalamazoo Foundation to change that — especially for youth who live in mixed-race homes where ways of caring for BIPOC hair may be new.
Financing is coming together for Hawthorne Park, a four-story apartment building with ground-level commercial space in Kalamazoo's Edison neighborhood. The building is expected to be 52,523 square feet in total with 2,935 square feet dedicated to commercial use. Those working on the project hope the space will attract entrepreneurial businesses such as a coffee shop or a tobacco store.
Construction work is progressing on six condominium units and 1,800 square feet of commercial space at 1601 E. Main St., spearheaded by the Kalamazoo County Land Bank to help the Eastside Neighborhood develop affordable, mixed-income housing, and more space for new businesses.
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