Imagine Kalamazoo Enters “Plan It!” Phase Four Meetings Scheduled
Published on February 17, 2025
After months of valuable community input during the "Imagine It!" phase, the City of Kalamazoo is now launching "Plan It!"—the next step in updating the City’s Master Plan and Strategic Vision.
During "Plan It!", community members will build on the input from the “Imagine It!” phase to redefine the Strategic Vision Goals and identify the key outcomes that will guide Kalamazoo’s future. This input will directly shape the updated Strategic Vision, which will be released for public review and consideration later this spring.
“In Kalamazoo, we have a proven track record of turning community vision into action: 99% of the actions in Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 have been completed or are in progress,” noted Vice Mayor Jeanne Hess. “This wouldn’t be possible without our community showing up and sharing their voices, ideas, and energy to help shape our community.”
In addition to in-person meetings, new online survey opportunities will be available soon, making it easy for residents to participate on their own time. The City will also release an updated Meeting on the Go guide, which will include activities and discussion questions relevant to the Plan It! phase. This will allow community groups, organizations, and neighbors to host their own discussions and contribute ideas.
"Whether you support the direction the city is moving in or think we need to change course, the only way your perspective can be incorporated into the overall community plan is if you are willing to get involved,” Hess continued. “Your voice matters, and these conversations shape real decisions about our city’s future. I encourage everyone to stay engaged, join these discussions, and be a part of Kalamazoo’s future.”
Community Meeting Schedule
Community members are invited to attend one of the following meetings to discuss Strategic Vision Goals & Outcomes. The activities will be the same at each meeting, so participants can attend the one that best fits their schedule. The March 27 meeting at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts will have individual input activities only (no presentation).
Meeting 1
Tuesday, March 4
6:30-8 p.m.
Milwood Middle School, 2916 Konkle St
Meeting 2
Tuesday, March 11
6:30-8 p.m.
Northside Association for Community Development, 612 N Park St
Meeting 3
Tuesday, March 18
6:30-8 p.m.
Kalamazoo College Fieldhouse, Hornet Suite, 1600 W Michigan Ave
Meeting 4 (Open House)
Thursday, March 27
4 - 6 p.m. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S Park St
*Open house style, no presentation, individual input activities only
View Meeting Details
About Imagine Kalamazoo 2035
Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 is a community-driven planning process to create a new Strategic Vision and Master Plan for the City of Kalamazoo. Throughout 2025, city staff will work with residents, businesses, and community stakeholders to establish strategic goals for the next decade and develop a roadmap to achieve them. Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 officially launched in September 2024 and will progress through five increasingly focused phases, with the adoption of the new Master Plan and Strategic Vision expected in late 2025. The City’s previous plan, Imagine Kalamazoo 2025, was adopted in 2017. Since then, 99% of the actions outlined in the plan have been completed or are currently in progress, demonstrating Kalamazoo’s commitment to turning community input into real results.