Millennials who don’t want to rely on a car and baby boomers looking to “downsize” as their children move out are creating a higher demand for downtown living.
Note: This article has been corrected, an earlier version included a misspelling of Andrew Haan's last name.
The Associate Director of the Governor’s Office of Urban Affairs Andrew Haan says a study on housing demand in Kalamazoo is designed to quantify what many people have believed anecdotally.
The study released Wednesday recommends an additional 1,400 units of housing in and around downtown Kalamazoo. Zimmerman/Volk Associates prepared the report for a group that includes economic development agency Southwest Michigan First.
Haan says there is a desire for more walkability wherever people live. He says that includes downtown and more suburban settings. Haan says walkability has a couple of different meanings. One is safety, being able to use sidewalks and avoid traffic. But he says there is also the proximity of services such as grocery stores that people can reach without a car. Haan says most Michigan communities don’t fare well for that type of walkability.
While the report is calling for 1,400 units of housing in and around downtown Kalamazoo over the next five years, Haan says there’s already a head start. He says there are about 300 units planned in various projects. Haan says there is an opportunity for urban core cities in the state to grow and to bring more people to live downtown.
