Voices of Youth Commentary: New developments in downtown Kalamazoo garner mixed reactions

Editor’s Note: This story was reported by Sage Lee as part of the Winter 2026 Kalamazoo Voices of Youth Program. The program is a collaboration between Southwest Michigan Second Wave and KYD Network in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo, funded by the Stryker Johnston Foundation. The Voices of Youth Program is led by Earlene McMichael. Maya James (writing) was the VOY mentor. 

KALAMAZOO, MI – Stepping onto West Michigan Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo, glass buildings tower over the sidewalks, and honking cars fill the streets. The entire area has transformed to resemble that of a much larger city.

After 10 years, downtown Kalamazoo has undertaken a variety of drastic changes. Despite building new structures and implementing new street layouts, the city still has more in store for the neighborhood.

Most recently, the Kalamazoo Planning Commission has begun building an arena on Kalamazoo Avenue. Citizens have watched in awe as the large structure has grown. The city began construction in November 2024. Since then, the Kalamazoo Event Center has rapidly assembled, looking more finished every day. 

According to a case study published by the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture Housing and Community Regeneration Initiative, Kalamazoo has plans for further development in hopes of establishing concentrated growth in the Bronson Park area. By doing so, the report says the city has to make room for any new structures, putting unprotected historic buildings at risk.

Similarly, the new layouts for the city have led some citizens to believe the Kalamazoo City Commission is disconnecting downtown from the Northside neighborhood. However, the city has specific plans to rebuild Kalamazoo Avenue and its surrounding streets to further reconnect the downtown and Northside areas, according to the City of Kalamazoo’s website.

Despite the concerns for some, others are excited for the developments to unfold. The plans for the city are expected to increase pedestrian traffic downtown, which is great news for small business owners. Rebecca Macleery, owner of the Kalamazoo Dry Goods, is eager to see more activity on South Street. 

“This is a destination shop. People do drive here from a couple of hours away to come specifically to my store, and I want to see more of that,” says Macleery. “At the same time, I want to see more small businesses in this area that are catering to the local community rather than just trying to attract or serve tourists.” 

Macleery says that her art supply store, along with her peers’ businesses, serves the greater good of Kalamazoo. 

Elli Kastner, a junior at Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo, agrees that downtown has a lot of potential, but she’s worried that the lure of internet shopping could get in the way of teens appreciating the area.

“It definitely feels more and more online, social media-ish, instead of directly getting out there in person — at least in groups that I’m a part of,” says Kastner. “It takes a bit of effort to get a group of people together to go out and sit at the mall or downtown.”

Kastner has noticed that teens spend more time on the internet than they do outside, and she believes the lack of teen-friendly spaces may be the cause.

Teen audiences may be less inclined to hang out in spaces that are designed for older, more financially stable people. Too many restaurants, high-end shops, and office spaces may turn younger people away. 

The lack of a high school scene downtown may be solved by Macleery’s hopes for Kalamazoo. Small businesses make up the vibrancy of downtown Kalamazoo. The affordability and community that surround local shops may drive teens toward downtown if there were more emphasis on such. If the city wants to regain foot traffic in the area, it may have to focus on the current local charm rather than the new constructions. 

Nevertheless, the city commission has chosen to primarily concentrate on developing more eye-catching scenery in hopes of a more pleasing downtown.

“I think there is a potential for it being great and attracting folks,” says Macleery. “I think it’s also very risky because, if they don’t pull it off, it’s a huge eyesore and a huge amount of investment that could just sit there.”

As downtown grows, Macleery, Kastner, and some other citizens will watch the area transform. Macleery is sure that the city commission has her business in mind as it continues the development. Kastner is similarly hopeful that the plans will bring a brighter future to downtown. 

“It’s like the thing about three spaces — like home, work, or school. With the online-ization and all that, there isn’t really a very accommodating space for people to actively hang out in,” says Kastner. “I definitely think that putting in an effort to get a space like that is important because it can be pretty isolating to exclusively do stuff online.”

On the Kalamazoo Mall, countless stores still appeal to younger citizens. Shops like Earthly Delights at Amy Zane, Terrapin, and the Kalamazoo Candle Company are favorites of some local teens. To others, Climb Kalamazoo is a staple pastime in the area. Outside of the downtown mall area, the Kalamazoo Antiques Market and the Kalamazoo Dry Goods are fun destination shops for teens to browse. 

Preservation of these stores will be essential to maintain the strong sense of community downtown. While construction continues and the city commission’s decisions remain controversial, the hope for a more vibrant and accessible downtown will remain as the goal for all.

Sage Lee has participated in Voices of Youth several times, as well as written freelance articles for Southwest Michigan Second Wave Media, which sponsors the program. Lee is a junior at Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he serves as the chief copy editor of his school’s student publication. He says he is “absolutely in love with journalism” and wants to pursue every opportunity to write.