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$110M Kalamazoo event center could see new life through ballot proposal


http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/inde...er_co.html

"Kalamazoo considers replacing cash-strapped downtown development tool"

Another headline on same MLive page.

I don't quite get the downtown development problem with finances...We've got a 16 story building going up at East Michigan and Rose. A 7 story about to start at the northeast corner of the Water street parking lot and a 4 or 5 story, mostly apartments, going up at Rose and Lovell..
This is more activity happening around downtown then at any time in my years on this planet...

(07-03-2018 10:47 AM)broncojohnny Wrote:  I don't quite get the downtown development problem with finances...We've got a 16 story building going up at East Michigan and Rose. A 7 story about to start at the northeast corner of the Water street parking lot and a 4 or 5 story, mostly apartments, going up at Rose and Lovell..
This is more activity happening around downtown then at any time in my years on this planet...

It's a combination of property taxes declining during the recession, plus several large property tax appeals. Started with Pfizer in the early 2000's, then the Radisson later on... once word got out that property owners were being over-assessed and winning appeals, everyone else followed suit. There were multiple waves of this over the last 10-15 years. So you can imagine the long-term effects.

Here's an old article from MLive on the Radisson's appeal:
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/ind...s_mus.html

All probably good reasons why Western should keep ownership of their own facility on campus. The focus should be on a winning program and getting the students involved.

https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/ind...socialflow

Interesting how three of the big names pushing for this are or were on WMU's BOT.

And yet University spokespeople say the school is "neutral."

Let's just get this done. Both hockey and basketball would benefit from a new facility.

I can’t speak for hockey because I could care less though I enjoyed contrsst baths with the Saunders boys and Kip Acton. I don’t see any benefit for the men’s basketball program. The problem isn’t UA.

(07-14-2018 12:28 PM)gobaseline Wrote:  I can’t speak for hockey because I could care less though I enjoyed contrsst baths with the Saunders boys and Kip Acton. I don’t see any benefit for the men’s basketball program. The problem isn’t UA.

I would assume if UA wasn’t being used for home games we could make it into a practice facility that would aid in recruiting.

(07-14-2018 06:39 PM)flushtheherd Wrote:  

(07-14-2018 12:28 PM)gobaseline Wrote:  I can’t speak for hockey because I could care less though I enjoyed contrsst baths with the Saunders boys and Kip Acton. I don’t see any benefit for the men’s basketball program. The problem isn’t UA.

I would assume if UA wasn’t being used for home games we could make it into a practice facility that would aid in recruiting.

It is already a practice facility. Problem is javelins being thrown and Puts being shot. You have volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s basketball, gymnastics, dance squad, clown cars and dancing bears all vying for the same square footage. Not all at the same time but enough with the clown car fits in perfectly with the circus.

And playing basketball on the wood floor over laying ice is not ideal or desired. I understand that at larger venues things are put together and taken apart Like a puzzle. Still not ideal. This facility will likely be sharing time because it’s small time. It’s Kalamazoo for crying out loud. It’s not the United Center.

I am not a fan of WMU hockey & basketball in dwtn Kalamazoo.
It is just to far from campus & student housing.

The advantage to this is all in the pockets of some wealthy Kzoo businessmen.

^ What he (okgc) said.

Unfortunately three of those wealthy businessmen are on WMU BOT.

Kalamazoo could really use a downtown arena regardless if WMU uses it or not. Concerts, K-Wings, etc. WMU should look into adding a bigger presence downtown. Its done wonders for GVSU. I was hoping they would move the engineering campus downtown at the time. It's way too far out now.

College sports should be played on a college campus. To do otherwise changes the whole experience. I hate the idea of WMU moving any of its games downtown.

(07-15-2018 02:56 PM)okgc Wrote:  I am not a fan of WMU hockey & basketball in dwtn Kalamazoo.
It is just to far from campus & student housing.

The advantage to this is all in the pockets of some wealthy Kzoo businessmen.

My exact feelings.

I'd love to see a downtown arena for the K-Wings, concerts and other events. Maybe the occasional WMU basketball or hockey game for a marquee opponent or holiday tournament.

I don't see how the K-Wings, WMU basketball and WMU hockey can co-exist in the same building. I have a feeling that would lead to inconvenient scheduling with game times and I don't see how that makes for a positive experience for any fan base.

(07-16-2018 10:26 AM)brovol Wrote:  College sports should be played on a college campus. To do otherwise changes the whole experience. I hate the idea of WMU moving any of its games downtown.

Agree 100%, brovol.

(07-16-2018 01:33 PM)MajorHoople Wrote:  

(07-16-2018 10:26 AM)brovol Wrote:  College sports should be played on a college campus. To do otherwise changes the whole experience. I hate the idea of WMU moving any of its games downtown.

Agree 100%, brovol.

Keep the game on the campus. It is for the students and should be within walking distance for them. If the students don't attend, it's their loss. But make it as easy as possible for them to go to the game.

B-ball would be great downtown, not like you couldn’t have a shuttle for the 50 students who actually go to games for the 5 mile trip. Would be great for recruiting and best of all tax payers would build it so wmu wouldn’t need to go in debt. I think hockey Should stay at Lawson, maybe play the big draw games once or twice a year downtown.

Problem is...WMU hockey is a bigger draw than Kwings. The arena would need WMU for revenue.