Kalamazoo Redevelopment To Transform Historic County Courthouse
Kalamazoo is the largest city in Kalamazoo County and is home to many of the country buildings and officials. As most other cities in America, everything started in downtown and has branched out from there. As new buildings are made the old ones are sold and renovated to be turned into something else but every so often, something is maintained as a historical landmark.
Many believed this would be the case for the county courthouse that has been sitting in the heart of the city for decades. The new courthouse opened up just over a year ago and the former is now lying dormant, but there is a redevelopment company that is looking to purchase the building and bring it back to life.
PlazaCorp is leading an investment for the project that is designed to transform underused properties into vibrant spaces. The entire project is for 3 properties and is valued at over $100 million. The 3 properties they are eyeing for the project are the Spearflex office building, a rundown factory on 619 Porter Street, and the old county courthouse.
Historic Kalamazoo County Courthouse To Be Transformed Into A Vibrant Hotel
They would like to renovate the Spearflex building into 57 residential apartment units, while the rundown factory would be used for a mix of residential and commercial use, and lastly, they would like to change the former county courthouse into a glorious hotel. They want to invest in the buildings and people that hold Kalamazoo's history while preserving the architectural and historic identity of Downtown Kalamazoo.
Upon completion the former courthouse will become a 127-room hotel that will be run by a national hotel that also includes restaurants, a lobby bar, and onsite parking. These projects are to help visitors and residents but also enhance downtown, drive tourism, and boost the city's economic growth.
Read More: Beats On Bates Returns To Kalamazoo With New Lineup
Although the project plans are being introduced and voted on now, the project is not expected to start for a little while and isn't expected to be completed until 2031.