Two development groups have differing visions for developing the Arcadia Commons West property in downtown Kalamazoo. They pitched their ideas to a task force on Thursday.
Developers Lord Aeck Sargent and RISE Real Estate, both based in Georgia, see an approximately $60 million multi-use complex rising on the six-acre site. It includes retail space as well as apartments and condos.
Matt Marshall at RISE Real Estate says Kalamazoo needs more downtown housing for families and those without children.
“I think that would be great to have an empty nester demographic downtown," said Marshall. "They have kids out of the house. They have more disposable income now to spend on restaurants, shopping, etc. I think that would be fantastic if we could make that happen.”
The Portage-based team of AVB Inc. and the Hinman Company, meanwhile, says the project needs a large anchor, like an event center or program connected to Western Michigan University.
“We’ve got one shot at this 6.3 acres. It’s in a critical location," says AVB owner Joe Gesmundo. "It’s the only piece that’s in the kind of relationship to the university and the downtown that could possibly create this synergistic use, in our opinion.”
In 2009, another group proposed a similar idea for the property: an $81 million arena project. But that plan fell apart without support from county commissioners. The task force hopes to reach an agreement on the future of the site by September.
