T

AF
DR

Imagine Vine
Neighborhood Plan

VINE NEIGHBORHOOD imagine kalamazoo

2025 THE CITY OF KALAMAZOO
ASSOCIATION
Contents
Acknowledgments.....................................................................................................................................3

T
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................4

Neighborhood Planning Process...................................................................................................6

Strategic Vision Alignment.............................................................................................................8

AF
Housing............................................................................................................................................................10

Housing Goals & Actions ..............................................................................................................................11

Community..................................................................................................................................................14

Community Goals & Actions.................................................................................................................................15

Connectivity................................................................................................................................................18

Connectivity Goals & Actions .....................................................................................................................19

DR

Environment, Parks, & Food Access........................................................................................22

Environment, Parks, & Food Access Goals & Actions............................................................................23

Commercial..................................................................................................................................................26

Commercial Goals & Actions......................................................................................................................27

 Acknowledgments
Many people throughout Kalamazoo gave time and expertise to the creation of this plan.

Community Partners

T
• Patrick McVerry, City of Kalamazoo Parks & • Jodi Michaels, Vine Resident
Recreation • Jeremy Cole, Neighborhood Builders LLC
• Kim Cummings, Building Blocks • Debra Miller, City of Kalamazoo CPED
• Rebecca Degraw, Building Blocks
• Matt Lager, Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing
Vine Neighborhood Association
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
Services (KNHS)

AF
Christina Anderson, City of Kalamazoo CPED
Erin Denay, Open Roads Bike Program
Ryan Shank, City of Kalamazoo Public Safety
David Boysen, City of Kalamazoo Public
Safety
Shaun Wright, Community Home Works
Steve Walsh, Vine Neighborhood Association
James Baker, City of Kalamazoo Public
(VNA) Board
•

Services
• Matt Lechel, OnePlace
• Sally Reynolds, Douglas & Son, Fruit of the
MSU Planning Practicum Class
Vine • Kayla Turner
DR
• Jason Morris, Douglas & Son • Brad Gately
• Carrie Drake, Building Blocks • Alex Riguardi
• Chris Moore, Kalamazoo Collective Housing • Sean Walbridge
• Emily Kastner, Read and Write Kalamazoo • Hunter Whitehill
(RAWK)
• Sonja Dean, Local Initiative Support Vine Residents
Corporation X Number of residents helped inform this plan.
• Med Blinkiewicz, Kalamazoo Youth Development
Network (KYD Net)
City of Kalamazoo
• Kevin Ford, City of Kalamazoo CPED
• Sharon Ferraro, City of Kalamazoo CPED • Kathleen Reilly, City of Kalamazoo CPED

• Peter Aerts, City of Kalamazoo Parks & • Amanda Cockroft, City of Kalamazoo CPED

Recreation

3
imagine kalamazoo 2025 IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
Introduction
During the Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 (IK2025) planning process, neighborhood plans were identified as a need.
Neighborhood plans allow the neighborhood to focus on their neighborhood vision and realize the community’s

T
Strategic Vision with small-scale or focused planning work. This resident driven process allows neighborhoods to
take control of their future. The neighborhood planning process as laid out in the 2025 Master Plan does not have a
required focus beyond aligning with the Strategic Vision and 2025 Master Plan goals. Through this process residents
are encouraged to think about everything that impacts their daily wellbeing and futures. The resulting plans are
comprehensive and leverage collaboration to achieve results.

The Vine Neighborhood is the oldest and most central of the neighborhoods. It is south of downtown, east of Western

AF
Michigan University and west of Bronson Methodist Hospital. In total, Vine is approximately 1 square mile in size. Vine
Neighborhood has a population of approximately 5,572 (Esri Business Analyst, 2017), and is one of the most dense
neighborhoods in the City.
DR

4
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN imagine kalamazoo 2025
 T
AF
DR

Table 1.4 Neighborhood Historical Timeline: Generated with help from Sharon Ferraro, Historic Preservation Coordinator, and
Steve Walsh, Executive Director of VNA (2018)

5
imagine kalamazoo 2025 IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
 Neighborhood Planning Process
January February & March April May - August September 2018 & Beyond

Review Engage Draft goals & Confirm Neighborhood Complete

T
previous community neighborhood goals & plan goes action steps
plans & to create plan neighborhood to Planning to turn the
engagement neighborhood plan Commission vision into
vision reality!

1 2 3 4 5 6

1
VINE
VILLAGE
PLAN
REVIEW

IK 2025
ENGAGEMENT

SURVEY LAUNCH AF
COALITION
FORMED
ENGAGE

COMMUNITY
MEETING

FOCUS GROUPS

Review previous plans & engagement

S.M.A.R.T
GOALS

In January, Vine launched a survey to learn more about

what people like best about Vine and where they saw room
DRAFT

ALIGN WITH
STRATEGIC
VISION
POP UP
ENGAGEMENT

YOUTH
ENGAGEMENT
EVENT
CONFIRM

ONLINE
SURVEY

MOMENTUM
BUILDING
PROJECT
CELEBRATION
EVENT
CELEBRATE

AMENDMENT
TO MASTER
PLAN
QUICK WIN
PROJECT
WORK
ACT

TOGETHER
TO COMPLETE
ACTION
STEPS

VINE VILLAGE—
for improvement. This survey feedback combined with the A VIBRANT COMMUNITY,
FULL OF POSSIBILITIES
Vine Village Plan as well as Vine Neighborhood IK2025
input established a clear starting point for discussions.

Engage community to create neighborhood

2
DR
vision
Vine brought together a group of businesses, organizations,
and residents to serve as their coalition. The coalition had
their first meeting in February to help clarify common
themes that had been pulled from previous engagement
as well as inform what work was already being done
in those areas. In February 2018 Vine Neighborhood
Association held a community meeting, with nearly 60
residents in attendance, to confirm priorities with residents,
share information on the efforts happening in the area, and
provide an opportunity for residents to give input on new
ideas. Topics discussed at this meeting included zoning,

6
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN imagine kalamazoo 2025
 parks & gardens, walkability, on-street parking, defining
vine, and 2018 construction projects. Vine also held focus
group meetings to dive deeper into topics that weren’t
discussed at the community meeting, but were identified as
topics that needed to be discussed at that meeting. Focus

T
groups were help on the topics of housing and youth.

3 Draft goals & neighborhood plan

Combining all past information and plans, as well as new
input heard from residents at the February community
meeting, goals and actions were drafted. The goals were

4
AF
drafted to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic,
and Timely (S.M.A.R.T.) and align with the Strategic Vision.
The goals and actions were then structured into a draft of
the neighborhood plan.

Confirm goals & neighborhood plan

Through pop up engagement at neighborhood events and
an online survey, Vine residents were able to give feedback
on the plan goals to confirm that the goals are what the
community wants and to identify anything that might be
missing. MOMENTUM BUILDING PROJECT INFO.
DR
Neighborhood plan goes to Planning
5 Commission
Once the goals and Imagine Vine Neighborhood Plan
are finalized by Vine, the plan will go to the Planning
Commission to seek approval as an amendment to the
Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 Master Plan. After the plan is
confirmed, there will be an event to celebrate the plan’s
amendment.

Complete action steps to turn the vision into

6 reality!
After the plan is approved, Vine neighborhood, the City, and
other partners will get to work on carrying out the actions in
the plan starting with a Quick Win Project.

7
imagine kalamazoo 2025 IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
Strategic Vision Alignment
SP CC IPP ER SC YD CN SD EV GG

Environmental Responsibility
Strategic Vision Goal

Strength Through Diversity

Complete Neighborhoods
Inviting Public Places

Youth Development

T Good Governance
Shared Prosperity

Economic Vitality
Safe Community
Connected City
Imagine Vine Neighborhood Plan Goals
Housing
Increase housing options
AF
Create a stable supply of affordable housing

Develop tools to assist property owners in

understanding, navigating, and funding maintenance
or improvements to their homes; including historic
structures and energy efficiency
Community
•
•
•

•
•

Support Youth Development and create opportunities • •

for youth voice

Promote local arts and music • •

Improve communications between residents and Vine •
Neighborhood Association
DR
Continue to build and maintain a sense of community in • • • • •
the neighborhood
Connectivity
Improve sidewalk conditions to help promote greater • •
walkability

Improve Neighborhood safety through street lighting • • • • •

Slow Traffic along major corridors • • •

Create Uniform and easy to understand parking • • •
regulations
Improve the neighborhood connectivity to the rest of • •
Kalamazoo

8
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN imagine kalamazoo 2025
 SP CC IPP ER SC YD CN SD EV GG

Environmental Responsibility
Strategic Vision Goal

Strength Through Diversity

Complete Neighborhoods
Inviting Public Places

T Youth Development

Good Governance
Shared Prosperity

Economic Vitality
Safe Community
Connected City
Environment, Parks, & Food Access
AF
Increase access to healthy food options

Improve network of edible landscaping

Improve biodiversity and sustainability in parks and open

spaces
•

•
•

Increase outdoor recreation opportunities in Vine •

Commercial
Stimulate local business growth and economic vitality in
•
Vine

Initiate a branding campaign for the Vine Neighborhood • •

DR

Timeline is based on whether a project is in motion or planned,

or not started. If it is in motion or planned a year for completion
is listed (2019, 2020, etc.). If an action is new from this plan it
may have Short, Mid, of Long instead of a date. Short means
that is would take approximately between 0-2 years, Mid 3-5,
and long 5-10. If something is a project that doesn’t necessarily
have an end date it is listed as ongoing.

Costs follows the same breakdown as the master plan. Where

possible, funding sources are listed.

9
imagine kalamazoo 2025 IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
 Housing
VISION: Develop housing opportunities that meet the needs of Vine’s diverse population.

Increase Housing Options

1 By increasing housing types Vine hopes to Vine Housing By the
make more opportunities for homeownership,
Numbers

T
affordability, and keep some of the younger
residents in the neighborhood.

2
Create a stable supply of affordable 12.9% Renter
housing
Vine seeks to implement tools and programs that 14% Owner
Renter occupied
Occupied
Owner Occupied

3
for residents.

AF
will create a stable and affordable housing supply

Develop tools to assist property owners

in understanding, navigating, and
funding maintenance or improvements
to their homes; including historic
structures and energy efficiency
Vine is mostly covered by historic districts. While this
73%

Affordability in Vine
Vacant
Vacant

Median household income in Vine is $22,359. A

general rule of thumb is that housing should cost
no more than 30% of its annual income. Therefore
is an asset to the neighborhood it is also challenging a person with an income of $22,359 could afford to
for residents to navigate the process to make pay approximately $559 on rent each month. There
improvements as well as afford improvements. Vine are some rental units available at this price, but the
majority exceeds $1,000 (based on Zillow February
seeks to increase awareness of existing tools and
2018).
DR
programs, and create new programs and tools that
will support residents in making improvements and Using the median home value in Vine, $89,483,
maintenance to their homes. and assuming a 10% down payment and 30- year
fixed mortgage, it was calculated that a monthly
mortgage payment would be $623. This too
exceeds the 30% affordability threshold. (MSU
HAPPENING NOW
student calculations)
Neighborhood Enterprise Zone
expanded to cover more of the
Vine neighborhood. NEZ’s help
property owners fund home
improvements and repairs.

10
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN imagine kalamazoo 2025

Housing Goals & Actions
ACTION
Increase Housing Options
Change zoning to allow for
accessory dwelling units
Encourage mixed use developments Attend zoning meetings to
in commercial areas provide input and show support
Create marketing to encourage
developers to come and build infill
in Vine
Create a stable supply of affordable housing
Research tools to help create and
maintain affordable housing (CLT,
inclusionary zoning, Historic TIF
District etc.)
Implement tools that research
uncovers
D
Expand access to job training
programs
Support expansion of programs that
promote homeownership (rent-to-
own, loans, etc.)
imagine kalamazoo 2025
NEIGHBOR
Attend zoning meetings to
provide input and show support
R
Attend any relevant community
meetings and show support
Take advantage of job training
programs, provide input on
barriers to participation
Help inform neighbors of
programs that are available
T
ER CN SD
PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS
F
Attend zoning meetings to
provide input and show support, Change zoning to allow for
2019 Time
help in outreach and education accessory dwelling units
to residents - VNA
Attend zoning meetings to
Change zoning to allow for mixed
A
provide input and show support,
uses in nodes and commercial 2019 Time
help in outreach and education
corridors
to residents - VNA
Develop marketing materials - Share any relevant data that
Mid $
VNA would help create materials
Complete research on different Complete legal and economic
tools that may be used in the analysis to understand feasibility Mid Time
Vine - VNA of tools
Collaborate with City to Implement the tool that is
Mid $
implement the chosen tool - VNA decided on
Develop partnerships to help
increase awareness and access Explore partnerships to increase
Long $$
to existing job training programs - job training access for residents
VNA, Metro
Increase awareness of existing Provide information on programs
programs through outreach to once a year by including in Mid $
residents– KNHS, VNA mailing such as from the curb
11
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

ACTION
Enact a Truth-in- Sale of Housing
(TISH) ordinance.
Promote and expand participation
in home buying programs that
encourage employees of large
Kalamazoo companies to buy in Vine
Develop tools to assist property owners in understanding, navigating, and funding maintenance or improvements to their homes;
including historic structures and energy efficiency
Work with other historic
neighborhoods to create central hub
of historic district information
D
Develop informational material on
processes for external maintenance
and distribute (existing simple steps
how-tos)
Host trainings on different techniques
for maintaining historic property (ex.
Participate in trainings
Brick pointing, windows, etc) could
include some energy efficiency
Create a how to book that covers
fixing up homes (out and in) and the
historic district process.
12
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
NEIGHBOR
Provide input and support
ordinance enactment
A
Utilize the hub to get needed
information, tell neighbors about
R
the resource, provide feedback
on additional information that
would be helpful
Provide feedback on processes
involved in housing that are
confusing or unknown
Provide feedback on book
T
PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS
Provide input and support
Draft and enact ordinance 2020 Time
ordinance enactment
F
Develop partnership to help
Ensure staff are aware of
promote program and attract
programs supporting purchasing Mid $
new residents - VNA, Bronson,
a home in the City
WMU, K College
Partner with other historic
districts to create informational
materials
• Create list of contractors Provide information and other
• Explanation of approval resources available to historic 2019 Time
process with steps district home owners
• Tips and tricks for
maintaining property
-VNA
Gather resident feedback on Take information collected and
current process and experience, create one-page descriptions and Mid Time
share information with City or how-tos
Partner to host trainings on how
to maintain historic property - Develop trainings with partners Mid $$
VNA
Provide feedback on book - VNA Develop book Long $$
imagine kalamazoo 2025
ACTION NEIGHBOR PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS

Develop Old House Wizard/

Develop program to train

Ambassador Program to create
neighborhood knowledge on fixing
up homes and going through historic
district process
T
Organize volunteers to be “wizards” and supply them with
Volunteer to be a “Wizard” Mid $$
“Wizards” -VNA the information needed to be an
effective ambassador

Expand programs to assist
homeowners with installation of
energy efficient implementations
F
Expand marketing and outreach
Participate in programs and Support expanded outreach,
to ensure residents know about
inform neighbors of the include information in Welcome Short $
existing opportunities – CHW,
opportunities packets
VNA

A
2018 Vine Historic Districts

D R Legend
National Historic District
Local Historical District
Vine Neighborhood Boundary
Parcel

13
imagine kalamazoo 2025 IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
 Community
VISION: Vine offers unique opportunities for all ages to feel a part of the Vine community. Residents are
aware of all community news and events.

Support Youth Development and create Continue to build and maintain a sense
1 opportunities for youth voice
4 of community in the neighborhood and
neighborhood safety

T
Vine has slowly been gaining more and more
When asked about Vine, residents often say that
families with kids or young couples. To ensure
the community is one of the biggest attractions
that all residents needs and interest are met
to living here. Vine wants to continue to build that
Vine is looking to better understand what youth
social capital and support efforts that create an
want and to create opportunities for meaningful
even stronger sense of community and promote
engagement.
neighborhood safety.

2 AF
Promote local arts and music
Vine has a vibrant community full of artists talented
in many medias, including infamous house music
shows in basements. Vine sees this as a true asset
and wants to help it thrive, and leverage it to
encourage continued investment in the community.
Enrollment in Vine
Graduate
Graduate or Professional
Professional Program
or
Program 379
379

College
College 1344
1344
Improve communications between
3 residents and Vine Neighborhood Grade 9-12
Grade 9-12 73
73
Association
Vine wants to ensure that Vine Neighborhood Grade 5-8
Grade 5-8 77
77

Association is resident’s go to for community

news and updates. Residents that know about the Grade 1-4
Grade 1-4 179
179
DR

Neighborhood Association see it as an asset, the

Kindergarten
Kindergarten 20
20
community wants to build on that and make sure
VNA is an asset to all residents. 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Series1
SOURCE: ESRI 2011-2015 ACS

HAPPENING NOW
Vine Neighborhood Association
has partnered with the
Kalamazoo Youth Development
Network to better understand
how to serve Vine youth.

14
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN imagine kalamazoo 2025
Community Goals & Actions SP CC IPP YD CN SD EV GG

T
ACTION NEIGHBOR PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS

Support youth development and create opportunities for youth voice

Help identify and encourage • Change bylaws to allow for
Fill 2 positions on the Vine Board with a Vine youth to serve on the youth representation – VNA

F
2019 Time
youth representative. Board • Identify Vine youth to sit on
board - KYD Network, VNA

Take the KYD Net Survey

Survey youth and parents in Vine to Distribute KYD Network survey to Summer
and encourage neighbors to Time
address current conditions and needs. Vine families – KYD Network, VNA 2018
participate

A
Engage RAWK as a current neighborhood Organize writing contest to show-off
Encourage youth to participate,
asset and work jointly to hold Vine Youth talent in the Newsletter - Short Time
volunteer to support event
neighborhood writing contest for youth. RAWK, VNA

• Work to establish board, identify

students and residents to
Establish Neighborhood Relations participate. - K College, WMU,

R
Coalition composed of one undergraduate Volunteer to sit on the board VNA Short $
student each from WMU and K College. • The Coalition should identify
projects that will build student
and resident relations

D
• Develop relationship with El Sol
Support El Sol Elementary School through - KYD Network, VNA
inquiry of needs and formation of volunteer • Work with VNA and KYD Mid Time
network. Network to identify ways that El
Sol could be supported - El Sol

Work with WMU and K student Develop relationship with student Assist with identifying the
organizations to host events in Vine that Volunteer to help organize and groups and plan event(s) - VNA appropriate permits and
Long $
welcome students (especially those new run events Work with VNA to host student help shepard through
to Kalamazoo) event(s) – RSOs process

15
imagine kalamazoo 2025 IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
ACTION NEIGHBOR PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS

Promote local arts and music

• Organize and host an art • Assist with permitting
contest for local artists - VNA, to display art in the

• Submit art
Hold an art contest in the neighborhood.
• Volunteer to help with event
T
neighborhood partners public right-of-way
• Install winning artwork in and other event
Short $
Neighborhood (either at VNA/ related permits
partner locations or in public • Assist with permitting
space) - VNA for permanent art

F
installation as needed

Create program/ policy

that allows for sidewalk,
• Organize local artists to install intersection, crosswalk,
Use sidewalks, crosswalks and other

A
art on city approved surfaces and other infrastructure Mid $
infrastructure as canvasses for local art.
-VNA to have artistic elements
installed within certain
parameters
Provide input on space design Assist with site plan review
Design and implement a neighborhood • Identify sites, create design

R
and community needs for the process and help shepard Long $$$
space for gatherings. proposal, and implement - VNA
space through

Improve communications between residents and the Vine Neighborhood Association

Use City and Imagine
Create a committee or board role
Create and maintain a strong social media Follow VNA on social media Kalamazoo social media

D
in charge of social media and Mid Time
presence for Vine Neighborhood. platforms to support growth in VNA
communications - VNA Board
presence

Distribute flyers to local businesses

Advertise important events on bulletin
and develop system to share Provide VNA with any
boards in neighborhood businesses and Short Time
neighborhood events on social event information
on social media.
media - VNA

Organize a volunteer team to welcome Volunteer to be a part of the Organize welcome team - VNA
new residents to the neighborhood with a welcome team Develop welcome kit and distribute Short Time
‘welcome kit’. to Vine residents – Welcome team

Renovate the VNA building to include a Organize fundraising campaign, Assist with navigating
space open for public access M-F, 8am- develop site plan, and complete site plan review and help Long $$$
5pm. renovations shepard through process
16
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN imagine kalamazoo 2025
ACTION NEIGHBOR PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS

Continue to build and maintain a sense of community and neighborhood safety

T
Continue to engage house leaders on Continue to engage house leaders
Volunteer to help with clean- Coordinate refuge pick-up
having safe parties and neighborhood and organize neighborhood clean- Short Time
ups for clean-ups
clean-ups ups - VNA

Create community events (parades, Organize and host events with Assist with any permits

F
Volunteer to help organize or
festivals, concerts, etc.) to bring neighbors community partners - VNA, or processes needed for Mid $$
staff events
together community partners events

Use creative methods to address

Use creative methods (plants,
any vacant or abandoned properties Use creative methods (plants, Assist with any permissions

A
lights, art) to mitigate blight – VNA, Short $
leveraging artist community in Vine while lights, art) to mitigate blight needed
Building Blocks
creating more inviting places

Volunteer to help build Assist with right of way or

Identify neighborhood artists to
benches, plant trees, or other permissions needed
Install Streetscaping, public art, and create public art, work with city to

R
complete other place making
benches on main roads in neighborhood
activities
to placemake and create identity
Organize an effort to do some
place making
to install public art, plant
site and install art Mid $$
trees or place benches.
Build benches, and acquire trees to
Install streetscaping in
place along main corridors -VNA
prioritized areas.

Contact VNA about an event or Support organization and resident

Continue to support efforts that bring

D
project you would like to lead in lead efforts that build the sense of Short Time
neighbors together creating social capital
the neighborhood community

Organize council and host meetings

Create a tenant- landlord council for Vine. Participate in Council Mid Time
– Building Blocks, VNA

Raise awareness of existing

Address nuisances (loud music late at Join the Neighborhood Watch, Attend board meetings for
Neighborhood Watch and Short Time
night, graffiti) and illegal behavior encourage neighbors to join. safety check-ins
encourage participation

17
imagine kalamazoo 2025 IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
 Connectivity
VISION: Vine has clear and safe infrastructure for all users to navigate Vine with ease.

Improve sidewalk conditions to help Improve the neighborhood connectivity

1 promote greater walkability 5 to the rest of Kalamazoo

T
Though Vine is almost completely covered with Residents would like to see more infrastructure for
sidewalks, several of those sidewalks are in bikes, particularly north south connections, and
great disrepair and are difficult to pass over in a improved bus stops. This will help residents access
wheel chair or with a stroller. Making repairs to other parts of the City and for Kalamazoo residents
the sidewalk system and the installation of safe to more easily access Vine.
crossings in key locations is one of the top priorities
for Vine residents. Vine 2017 Sidewalk Audit

2 street lighting
AF
Improve Neighborhood safety through

To increase the walkability and safety in Vine

residents would like to see more lighting. It is
important to residents that the lighting does not
produce excess light pollution in the neighborhood.

Slow Traffic along major corridors

3 Vine has a number of very busy, fast moving streets
that cut through the neighborhood. Residents
would like to see traffic slowed and the pedestrian
prioritized, particularly at key locations such as
the neighborhood commercial node, schools, and
DR

parks.
 

Create Uniform and easy to understand Total 3,480 Sidewalk squares need repair
4 parking regulations Vine Neighborhood 
Vine neighborhood has 22 different parking
regulations. This can be confusing and difficult to
Sidewalk Audit 
navigate for residents and visitors. Residents would April 2017 
like to see a uniform and comprehensive approach
to parking in the neighborhood.
 
TOTAL 3,480 SIDEWALK SQUARES NEED REPAIR 

BEST PRACTICES LIGHTING: FUTURISM (2013).

18
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN imagine kalamazoo 2025
Connectivity Goals & Actions CC IPP ER SC CN EV

T
ACTION NEIGHBOR PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS

Improve sidewalk condition and connections to help promote greater walkability

Prioritize and make improvements to sidewalks
Update sidewalk

F
leading to the new grocery store, around
Continue to inform VNA of assessment with major Repair and improve sidewalks
schools, and leading to downtown using Mid $$
sidewalk issues as they arise changes or every few years- in target areas
resident and walkability assessment to identify
VNA
target areas.

Install a Rapid Response Flashing Beacon or Install enhanced crosswalk

other crossing signal on Howard to make a safer across Howard near Maple Mid $$

A
connection to Maple Middle. Middle

Design a safer crossing for pedestrians and Study, design, and install
cyclist at Michigan, Oakland, Stadium and a safer crossing for the Long $$$$
Lovell intersection intersection

Install pedestrian crossing refugee at Study, design, and install

Mid $$$

R
Crosstown and Park refugee

Research heated sidewalks and conduct

Partner with WMU to have
feasibility study including: cost analysis and
preliminary research and Provide information as needed Short Time
identifying priority areas for implementation
study done by students
and funding options.
Apply for those schools,
Apply for Safe Routes to School for El Sol and Participate in surveys and Support outreach efforts and

D
work with public schools to Mid $
Maple Middle other feedback opportunities City application
complete the process
Paint crosswalks and install pedestrian
crossing signs where added visibility is needed Paint crosswalks and install
Mid $
connecting to schools, commercial areas, and signs
parks

19
imagine kalamazoo 2025 IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
ACTION NEIGHBOR PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS

T
Improve neighborhood safety through improved lighting

Prioritize lighting leading to and in the Assist in researching and Install street lights designed to
neighborhood commercial node, schools, submitting grants for shine specifically on sidewalk Long $$
and parks sustainable lighting - VNA and street, in priority locations

F
Install crosswalk reflectors to major
Install cross walk reflectors Short $
intersections.
Create porch light campaign
to encourage neighbors to
Leave porch light on, leave their lights on, research
Encourage home owners to leave porch

A
encourage neighbors to do the
lights on throughout the night.
same
Limit light pollution by Installing fixtures
funding opportunities to Short $
provide porch or yard lights
to residents – VNA, Building
Blocks
Research potential
sustainability or dark sky Install shielded lights
Mid $$

R
that are fully shielded. grants to support shielded throughout the neighborhood
light installation

Slow traffic along major corridors

Complete process to install Work with MDOT to install
Install planted medians at Westnedge and medians -MDOT medians, particularly in
Long $$$
Park Assist in maintaining medians/ commercial areas of the

D
plants - VNA corridors
Organize artists and Assist in getting needed
Plant trees and paint decorative volunteers to paint crosswalks permissions and technical
Short $
crosswalks along Lovell into downtown and acquire and plant trees assistance. Assist in Acquiring
-VNA trees
Install curb bump outs on Westnedge in Complete process to install Work with MDOT to Install
Mid $$
commercial node bump-outs -MDOT bump outs

Add Speed tables or elevated crosswalks Use preliminary study to guide

Volunteer to help with Work with WMU to conduct a
at intersections that are major pedestrian site decisions, install the best Long $$$
pedestrian study/ counts preliminary pedestrian study
crossings option for pedestrian safety

20
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN imagine kalamazoo 2025
ACTION NEIGHBOR PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS

Create uniform and easy to understand parking regulations in Vine

Determine resident preferences for day Engage residents on
Participate in parking meeting Assist in engagement efforts Short Time
and night parking preferences - VNA

T
Work with City and Traffic Board to develop Use resident feedback
Attend traffic board to talk Attend traffic board to talk about
new parking plan for Vine based on to inform new parking Short Time
about parking in Vine parking in Vine - VNA
feedback gathered regulations
Install new signs, inform
Install new signage in accordance with Inform residents of parking

F
residents of new parking Short $
newly created parking plan changes
regulations

Improve the neighborhood connectivity to the rest of Kalamazoo

Implement buffered bike lanes along Help inform residents of

A
Install buffered bike lanes Mid $$
Westnedge and Park improvements - VNA
Help inform residents of
Install bike lanes on Vine and Lovell Paint bike lanes Short $
improvements - VNA
Install a protected bike lane or shared use Help inform residents of Install the best option for safe

R
Long $$
path on Howard improvements - VNA cycling on Howard
Install branded wayfinding signage
directing to downtown, the farmer’s
Work with City to design, Provide technical assistance
market, Vine Corners, and campus. Install Mid $
purchase, and install signs and right of acquisition
bike route signs on Forest, Merrill, Davis,

D
and Wheaton

Improve bus stops to include seating, Attend communtiy meetings Improve bus stops with
Support ADA bus stop
lighting, shelters where possible, and to provide feedback on bus informational signs, shelters and Mid $$
improvement
signage with route information. system and stops lighting– Metro

Research route, transfer, and frequency

Complete study – Metro Long $$
improvements to the bus system
Provide feedback on locations Purchase and install bike racks Assist in siting and right of
Install bike racks in commercial areas Short $
for bike racks - VNA way acquisition

Partner with bike advocates to

Incorporate bicycle education into
Attend event, help spread work create an event and educational
projects, do more bicycle education for Support event Short $
about event to neighbors material to increase awareness
cyclist and motorist
of bicycle safety - VNA
21
imagine kalamazoo 2025 IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
 Environment, Parks, & Food Access
VISION: Vine is a sustainable, biodiverse area with spaces and programming that meet the needs and
interest of residents, while ensuring residents have access to fresh food.

Increase access to healthy food options Improve network of edible landscaping

1 2

T
A new grocery store will be opening at the southern Vine would like to take advantage of unused

end of Vine. Though this development will greatly spaces to increase access to food. Whether it is in

increase resident’s access to fresh and healthy the tree lawn, in parks, or even on roofs, residents

foods, Vine residents want to do more to increase ch

iga
n
want to ensure any possible space is used for
in

Mi
Ma

Academy
Devisser
BRONSON PARKhealthy,
growing fresh foods.
access to affordable and healthy foods.

Kalamazoo Mall
South
COLLEGE PARK
South

Saint John
Normal View

Lovell
LOVELL PARK
Monroe

Eldred
Stanwood

Improve biodiversity and sustainability

AF Bellevue

Rose
Stone

Vine Parks
Locust

an
Mic
hig
ch
iga
n Cedar
in parks and open spaces
in

Mi
Ma

Academy
East Campus

Pearl

Normal Gladys
um BRONSON PARKDevisser
di
n
higaCOLLEGE a Vine is environmentally conscious and would
Kalamazoo Mall

Potter
Mic PARK
St South Walnut
Saint John

likeBurnham
to encourage native plantings to support the
Normal View

Hoffman
LOVELL PARK
Lovell
DUTTON
Oak
Eldred
Stanwood

Duffield Dutton PARK

Vandercook

environment and native wildlife.

Rose

Bellevue
Stone

Walwood
Locust

n
an

Joh
hig
s

Cedar
es

Mic
Pr

Centra

Van Vranken

Vine
East Campus

Pearl

r Eato Normal Gladys

iu
m Olive n Austin
ad
a

Potter

St
l
aw

Walnut Ranney
Increase Outdoor recreation
Ott

4
Village
Hoffman Burnham
Osborne

Barry DUTTON
Oak

Grant Houston Fellows

DAVIS PARK
opportunities in Vine
Duffield Dutton
Vandercook

Walwood
PARK Minor Burr Oak
n
Davis

Joh
Short
s
es
Pr

Centra

Van Vranken
Newton

Vine WESTNEDGE Vine residents would like to be able to take better

s

Eato Wall
Cas

n Austin
Wall
PARK
nt
a

Wheaton
Ke
aw

Ranney
Ott

Village
advantage of the parks to its south, Axtell and
Newell
Osborne

Barry Grant Houston Fellows Vandersalm

DAVIS
Park

PARK Minor Burr Oak

Axtell
Crosstown ponds. Vine would also like to see more
S
Davis

Bra
Short

D
Lo

nch Born Lake

N
Newton

ng

WESTNEDGE
PO

PARK Forest
Wall
Wall
programming that encourages a healthy lifestyle
nt

Burdick

Wheaton
Ke

N St

Molhoeks
W
oc
kb
Newell

TO

and generally gathering community.

r
wn
DR
id

Mc Courtie
Vandersalm Den Adel
ge
Merrill

SS

to
Park

ss

Axtell
Lo

o
O
S

Cr

Bra
nd

R
Lo

nch Born Lake

kla

AXTELL
N

High
ng

Pioneer
PO
Oa

Forest
CREEK
Burdick

Ca
N St

lh Molhoeks
W
oc

ou
PARK
k

n
TO

br
n
id

Mc Courtie
ow

Den Adel Balch

ge
Merrill

SS

st

HAPPENING NOW
os

Rose
Lo

O
Cr
d

R
lan

AXTELL
C

High Pioneer
Park

CREEK Emerson
Westnedge

PARK
Balch
Howard Park will reopen in the
Davis Reed
Rose

summer of 2018 with a new

Park
Brentwood

Emerson
Hillcrest
Westnedge

Bushouse
Stearns

skate park. The skate park

Indiana

Howard
Reed
Park

Maple
Hillcrest
Maple
was something Vine residents
Bushouse
Stearns

expressed strong desire for during

Indiana

Park

Legend Maple Maple

Imagine Kalamazoo.
end Park
Park Vine Boundary
Vine Boundary

22
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN imagine kalamazoo 2025
Environment & Food Access Goals & Actions IPP ER CN
ACTION NEIGHBOR PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS

Increase access to healthy food options

T
Work collaboratively to fund
Build Hoop house on vacant lot where Volunteer to help build and
and build the hoop house – Help with any site plan needs Short $$
community garden is at 615 S. Westnedge. maintain hoop house(s)
Common Ground, VNA

Collaborate with Westnedge Market to
incorporate fresh food options.
F
Develop partnerships to
advocate with Westnedge
Advocate for fresh foods in the
Market for fresh food options Short Time
Market
– Farmer’s Market, KVCC,

A
Common Ground, VNA

Develop kits and distribute to

Provide indoor vegetable growing kits. Use kit to grow food indoors residents – Common Ground, Short $
Building Blocks, VNA

R
Organize volunteers to carpool
Set up a carpool system for grocery Volunteer to drive or help
to grocery stores – Building Short Time
shopping. manage carpool
Bocks, VNA

Attract food truck(s) for events or on a Create schedule of events in Help connect VNA to food
Short Time

D
fixed schedule. Vine – VNA, partners trucks to create a schedule

Improve network of edible landscaping

Change zoning to allow
Modify zoning ordinance to allow rooftop Volunteer to help plant and If a qualified building, install
roof top gardens on specific 2019 Time
gardens by right on qualified buildings. maintain garden rooftop garden on VNA - VNA
building types
Encourage neighborhood schools with Develop partnership with
gardens to hold gardening and cooking Attend classes schools and those who would Long $$
classes for neighborhood families. provide classes - El Sol, Phoenix
Use social media to market Vine as a
Develop marketing and promote
progressive neighborhood dedicated to Short Time
on social media
public health and sustainability.

23
imagine kalamazoo 2025 IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
ACTION
Plant edible landscaping in
underutilized pocket parks, vacant lots,
and intersections (including the linear
park at the intersection of Lovell and
Oakland).
Support existing tool-sharing
shed to expand so that residents
collectively own equipment needed for
maintenance of edible landscaping.
Improve biodiversity and sustainability in parks and open spaces
Plant native and/or maintain trees that
provide shading.
Implement ‘no-mow’ zones in passive
parks like Westnedge and future pocket
parks.
D
Create recommended landscape
standards that promote native species.
Install educational pieces in parks to
inform residents about the importance
of sustainability and biodiversity.
24
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
NEIGHBOR
Volunteer to help plant and
maintain gardens
Use the tool share, volunteer to
help manage it
A
Volunteer to help plant
R
Follow standards once created
Volunteer to help install signs
PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS
Develop partnership and Help with any right-of way
volunteer base to plant and permissions that may be
maintain edible landscaping needed Short $
– Common Ground, Building Assist with any site plan
T
Blocks, VNA processes that may be needed
Work with existing gardens
and partners to increase Help with any site plan
F
amount of tools and if needed processes or permits that may Mid $$
additional storage locations - be needed
Common Grounds, VNA
Work with City and residents to
Assist with tree acquisition and
identify trees and locations for Long $$
planting
additional plantings – VNA
Help spread information about
no-mow zones and their Create and implement policy Short Time
purpose – Common Grounds
Work with WMU and K to
develop standards , distribute
to neighbors, develop program Encourage developers use the
that helps those interested standards when thinking about Mid Time
change the landscaping at landscaping
their home - WMU, K College,
VNA
Work with partners to develop
Assist with identifying sites that
educational signs and install
could use educational signs, Mid $
them – WMU, K College,
help site the signs
Common Grounds, VNA
imagine kalamazoo 2025
ACTION NEIGHBOR PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS

Increase outdoor recreation opportunities in Vine Neighborhood

Organize a clean-up effort
Initiate a neighborhood/city-wide effort Assist in organizing any
and create installations
to clean-up Crosstown Parkway Ponds to clean-up efforts and finding

T
Volunteer to help clean-up that will help keep the Long $$$
allow for such uses as fishing, kayaking, or volunteers – Building
ponds clean like preventing
Stand Up Paddle- Boarding. Blocks, VNA
stormwater run-off

F
Install outdoor exercise equipment or Develop partnership with
Use the equipment, provide Install some exercise
establish a fitness trail in Davis Street Park gardens to place equipment Mid $$
feedback on how it works equipment in parks
or other suitable location. – VNA, Common Grounds

A
Organize exercise classes
Increase park programming, incorporating from local nonprofits or
Assist with any permits or
such activities as: yoga, movie nights, businesses to be hosted at
Participate in events permissions needed to use Mid $
environmental education camps, and parks in Vine, Partner with

R
parks for events
outdoor boot camps. local groups to create other
outdoor opportunities - VNA

D
imagine kalamazoo 2025 IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
25
 Commercial
VISION: Vine has thriving businesses and a strong sense of place.

T
Stimulate local business growth and
1 economic vitality in Vine HAPPENING NOW
Vine already has some great businesses and
Midtown Market, a new grocery
continues to gain more, there are some actions store, and Ace hardware are
that can be taken to support businesses and attract moving into 412 Howard – just
new businesses into some of the remaining vacant south of Vine.

store fronts. One issue businesses in Vine face in

2
management.

Neighborhood
AF
particular on the southern edge is storm water

Initiate a branding campaign for the Vine

Vine neighborhood is known for many things; the

student ghetto, the restaurants, the historic houses,
the community. Vine would like to highlight the
many great things there are about living in the
neighborhood and to better define its boundaries.
New businesses continue to
choose Vine. SWAY hair salon
recently opened in Vine Corners

Property Assessed Clean

Energy (PACE)
PACE helps commercial, industrial, and nonprofit
property owners make energy and water
Current Vine
DR
efficiency upgrades as well as renewable energy

Neighborhood Branding improvements to their building. PACE financing

works through special assessments on the
property.

It is a County wide program run through Lean &

Green Michigan.

Find out more at :

https://leanandgreenmi.com/index

26
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN imagine kalamazoo 2025
Commercial Goals & Actions CN EV
ACTION NEIGHBOR PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS

T
Stimulate local business growth and economic vitality in Vine
Create a partnership with local
artist and makers to partner Change the zoning ordinance
Change zoning code to allow for the use Time-

F
with businesses to create to allow for projecting signs in 2018
of projecting signs outside of the CBD. $
projecting signs once allowed commercial nodes
- VNA

Create refurbishment program for Explore different funding Explore different funding
businesses that need assistance with options to create a program options to create a program

A
Long $$$
building repairs, maintenance, and façade (maybe a historic TIF district) - (maybe a historic TIF district)
improvements. VNA and set-it up

Change zoning code to allow both Attend Commission meetings

commercial and residential first floor uses and voice support for zoning Support zoning changes - VNA Change zoning 2019 Time

R
outside of commercial node changes

Create workshop for

Assist commercial property owners Create workshop for
commercial property owners to
with Property Assessed Clean Energy commercial property owners to Mid Time
understand process for PACE
applications understand process for PACE

D
- VNA

Review height of neighborhood

Provide feedback and Provide feedback and support
commercial developments to allow up to
support zoning changes at zoning changes at commission Change zoning 2019 Time
four stories. Consider taller heights near
commission - VNA
downtown.

Promote walkable mixed use Provide feedback and Provide feedback and support
developments on key corridors, such as support zoning changes at zoning changes at commission Change zoning 2019 Time
Burdick and Westnedge commission - VNA

Help identify neighborhood

Provide development trainings
Prepare Commercial Spaces to Be Move Participate in development entrepreneurs
Explore grants to rehab Long $$$
In Ready for Small Businesses trainings Help property owners connect
storefronts
to funding opportunities - VNA

27
imagine kalamazoo 2025 IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
ACTION NEIGHBOR PARTNER CITY TIMELINE COSTS

Initiate a branding campaign for the Vine Neighborhood

Engage community to

T
Design a new logo for Vine, representing determine if new logo is
Provide feedback on logo Short Time
the new vision needed, develop new logo if
needed - VNA

F
Install banners along Crosstown, Oakland, Create banners and install
Assist with Banner installation Mid $
Howard, and Burdick along main corridors - VNA

A
Organize event, partners, and
Volunteer to help with the Assist with permit process and
Host a city-wide event showcasing Vine volunteers- VNA, Building Mid $
event any permissions needed
Blocks

Establish a program to reinforce history
and stories of Vine.
R
Partner with local historians
to do walking tours, home
Attend events, vounteer to tours, and develop story-
Short Time
help organize events telling signs to install around
the neighborhood to highlight

D
Vine’s history - VNA

Add “Welcome to Vine” and wayfinding

Work with residents to design
signs at major commercial areas on Assist with site selection and
sign, work with city to site sign Short $
Westnedge and along the neighborhood needed permissions
– Building Blocks, VNA
periphery.

28
IMAGINE VINE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN imagine kalamazoo 2025