Kalamazoo City Planner Rebekah Kik says she wants big ideas for updating the city’s master plan. She says people shouldn’t worry about cost or feasibility in the early stages.
Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 is the city of Kalamazoo’s latest update of its master plan and strategic vision. The state requires cities to develop a master plan, and update it periodically. Kik says the plan gives her “marching orders” on streets, building and zoning.
Kik says “community input rules the day” when it comes to developing an update of the master plan. She says the city has been more proactive in seeking ideas from the public. Kik says that includes seeking ideas at Art Hop and the new Open Town Hall, which allows people toanswer four questions online. Those questions ask for a vision for Kalamazoo.
Kik says those questions will change every two months. She says it’s meant for people of all ages, and not limited to city residents. Kik says many people who don’t live in Kalamazoo, may work in the city or spend time there for dining and entertainment.
While Kik says she wants people to “dream big” right now, money does factor into the equation. But she says even ideas with a big price tag can’t be ruled out. Kik says if there are proposals with broad support in the community, they may be delayed and funding could be sought from other sources (such as foundations).
The draft of the updated master plan should be completed in December. Kik says the public should get its first look at the document in January.
