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Michigan House passes bill that would help develop a $110 million Kalamazoo arena
LANSING, Mich. — A sea of weed infested parking lots in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo that could be transformed into a $110 million multi-use event center and sports arena.
On Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, the Michigan House of Representatives approved House Bill 4816, which, as long as the Michigan Senate passes the bill, will allow the Kalamazoo County Commission to raise the 4% lodging tax in Kalamazoo. The tax would provide a steady stream of funding to build and maintain the arena.
“This is an important measure to help Kalamazoo County – and other locations in Michigan – continue to build on the state’s economic momentum. Conventions, concerts and other special events are a key part of tourism and bringing people to downtown areas. Some other counties in Michigan already have tools available to fund the centers needed to host these events. This legislation simply gives municipalities the same opportunity for development that other communities in Michigan already have,” Rep. Brandt Iden, R-Portage, said.
The legislation received some bi-partisan support in the house. The state senate is expected to take up the bill soon.
Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, said some changes to the bill were negotiated before he voted in favor of it. Changes, he said, would require a portion of the event center funding to be set aside every year for urban recreation, which include rocket football and ice time for young hockey players.
“We were able to negotiate changes to the bill to build some equity considerations into the final process, and make sure kids will be able to use any arena built,” Hoadley said.
The event center itself would be built between North Westnedge Avenue and Park Street, directly behind a new Hilton Garden Inn, which is currently under construction on Rose Street.
Supporters of the arena project say Kalamazoo is one of the biggest cities in the country that does not have a modern event center, something local tourism agencies say is the key to recruiting large-scale concerts, events, and conferences.
Southwest Michigan First CEO Ron Kitchens, a supporter for the arena construction campaign, said building the event center would be key when it comes to attracting and retaining young adults in the Kalamazoo area.
“We are one step closer to bringing to reality a vision for the region that will be a catalyst for prosperity,” Kitchens said.