"They were paid to do a job, but they went far above and beyond the call of duty, often working on their own time, to create a plan that we can be proud of, and that will truly help Kalamazoo be the best city it can be in the coming decades.  I can't imagine working with a better group of folks."
--Andrea Augustine, Planner, City of Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo, an urban community facing a declining population, sought an overhaul to its previous comprehensive plan, which was hundreds of pages long. The consultant team, led by LSL, and city staff collaborated to engage the public in a dynamic, interactive process that resulted in a concise, graphic plan with an overarching theme of sustainability.  Stakeholders, including colleges, neighborhood associations, and businesses, collaborated to promote sustainability throughout the plan.

The plan incorporated innovative recommendations related to infill development, community gardens, complete streets, green infrastructure, economic gardening, and integrated the recently completed downtown and neighborhood subarea plans.

Public involvement was a particular highlight of the planning process. Interactive workshops engaged the public like never before, and the plan’s Facebook page had over 600 fans.

Click the plan below to take a look inside!