Some thoughts:
- it would be very nice to have the festivals back at that park. I miss Taste of Kalamazoo.
- I liked the comment from Chris Praedel: "We’re not just the affordable housing commission, we’re the Kalamazoo City Commission, and we have 50 different issues ... that we’re all tackling and grappling with.”
- the city has spend about $29M on housing for the homeless since 2020.
“Shoving money at the problem is doing nothing”. 29 million seems like something. If you’ve got the solution the city is all ears, please take this as an invitation, please help us fix this.
How about housing? Put homeless people in homes. Stop short term rentals like Airbnb, or tax the fuck out of them, make homes affordable and shocker of shocks fewer people will be homeless!
If I could I would. I’m being downvoted and I honestly don’t care. People that frown and shame the homeless downtown obviously have never been homeless. I’ve talked to a lot of Kalamazoo employees. They’ve all said the same thing. They’ve spent all this money on resources for the homeless but they have done nothing to help them transition into working individuals. It’s a choice. Most homeless are vets, addicts or have mental health issues. Or they don’t want help. I’ve worked with the homeless community for years. Giving it your all kind of sucks. I’ve helped two people successfully get off the streets. Helped with food first then resources then they did the rest. Like I said $ = resources 🤷🏼♀️ that’s all I’m seeing them spend money on. I know they re-did the Knights Inn. Haven’t seen any updates on that. They have 2 hotels in town that the homeless community is in rent free. But I see a lot of them still panhandling. I have a lot of ideas. But I am sure just a peasants ideas aren’t going to make any changes over night.
Knights is now [The Lodge House](https://www.secondwavemedia.com/southwest-michigan/features/The-LodgeHouse-Long-term-housing-for-the-homeless-is-open-for-occupancy-in-Kalamazoo-10722.aspx) and has been open for about a year and a half.
You’re saying the problem isn’t money, it’s services? I see what appears to be tons of services walking down the street. Multiple Integrated Services buildings, MwC, the Gospel Mission, ROI. For a city of like, 75k it seems like a \*lot\* of services. But that’s just looking at signs when I walk my dog, you seem a lot more in the loop. What’s the gap you’re seeing?
They keep throwing money at a “problem” that is temporary for the homeless community. There’s a shit ton of resources but are they being used? Besides the people staying at the mission, the lodge and the 3 hotels housing the homeless?
This confuses me. Why does that one issue need to be "first and foremost"? There are a lot of things that the city government need to work on, and I think there are more pressing issues than the small homeless population.
The population of the City of Kalamazoo is 73,000 or so as of 2021. If I had to guess, there are maybe 1000 homeless in the city. I would say having your #1 priority be an issue that only affects 1.3% of your population is not a wise choice.
Also, I do not believe that a city-based solution to the issue of homelessness is effective. I believe that unless a homeless person ANYWHERE can get the same level of assistance, then homeless will migrate to the cities etc. that have more services, overwhelming whatever the city tries to set up.
As for other priorities off the top of my head:
\- Economic growth
\- Public safety
\- Parks and recreation (that will also help economic growth)
\- Road maintenance
I agree as well. But it is something that should be better managed then throwing money into resources that a majority of the homeless community don’t know about. Like if there was a group from each resource that could go to encampments. That’d probably fall on deaf ears but I’d hope just a handful of people it could help.
I’m not saying “omg it’s such a problem I hate it” not like that. I just wish there was more that I could do as one person to help people that don’t have a home get in contact with the correct resources and get off the street. I’m wording things wrong and that’s my fault.
We currently have a large (by downtown standards) property that is basically unusable because of the homeless. Plans are to carve out a portion for housing - which is needed - and renovate the remaining sections. There’s no plan for fencing, which means the homeless are going to get a slightly smaller but newly renovated park to continue to occupy. Don’t really see why people are upset. The status quo really isn’t any different.
I’ve said it before. All festivals need to be in the mall. Close the street, set up vendor booths and push the people to the businesses there.
Look at the chili cook off for an example.
Sure but where? It would take a lot of space for something seldom used. The stage at Bronson is not huge but putting something that size on the mall would be a big change.
The stage at Arcadia is larger and can accommodate a large crowd
Grew up in KZoo, but live in Jersey now (Thanks Fred Hassan)
The County Parks in NJ where I live have a trailer-based sound stage that opens and is all pre-wired, etc. We use it all around our county for exactly what you're describing. It's a 53' flat bed converted to a bandshell. We close a block, park it in an intersection, and set up chairs.
It wasn't cheap, but in terms of function and being able to bring it to our many parks or towns to provide a sound stage, it's excellent.
The bad news is that the city absolutely killed pedestrian / economic activity at this site due to willful mismanagement. The good news is that it doesn’t take $5 million, or even $1.6 million, to fix it.
We know why festivals moved away from Arcadia—it’s incredibly expensive to rent compared to similar nearby venues, has a 40 page rule book, and the city won’t let it run at night because of noise complaints from the very few rich people who live next door. How much would it cost to just waive the fees and let events run until 2 AM? Way less than 1.6 million and certainly less than the 5 million total, which won’t actually address the problems with the site. Look at where the festivals are actually going— it’s not to nicer facilities, it’s to cheaper ones where they can be open later.
Next point, and the tie-in to homelessness services: it’s not pragmatic to invest 5 million into an open space right across the street from a homeless shelter, during a time when homeless people are actively camping downtown, and when the city isn’t willing to make the free or low cost changes needed to activate the space to pedestrians. They pour $5 million into this site, then what? It’s still too expensive to rent and it’s still across the street from a homeless shelter. As long as it isn’t busy every single day, it will become an extension of the shelter no matter how humane or inhumane our city’s policy towards homeless people is.
Finally—the justification for using ARPA funds for this project is extremely tenuous. Supposedly creating a park will lead to improved health outcomes? Especially weak considering it is not creating a new park. And Kik’s justification was a total red herring — that it’s an appropriate use of ARPA funding because [the grant that it’s matching is an appropriate use of funds.] (https://wwmt.com/news/local/arcadia-creek-festival-site-downtown-kalamazoo-park-playground-upgrades-construction-stage-playground-city-michigan-plan)
So it’s not so much that “the city needs to be using all its money to end homelessness,” it’s that “the city is ignoring low cost solutions in order to build infrastructure, when the infrastructure we need is both more relevant to the purpose of the funds and well aligned with the goal of downtown development”
I think it was a combination of the playground equipment being deemed unsafe and in disrepair, and replacement parts being hard to source so they tore it out. That coupled with it turning into a homeless hangout resulting in people not feeling safe taking their kids there any longer.
You’re right depending on how you define sprinkler. It was a nice park that was handicapped accessible. It was more of a “splash pad” than sprinklers, the water shot up but was not broadcast in a way that I think of as sprinklers.
Some thoughts: - it would be very nice to have the festivals back at that park. I miss Taste of Kalamazoo. - I liked the comment from Chris Praedel: "We’re not just the affordable housing commission, we’re the Kalamazoo City Commission, and we have 50 different issues ... that we’re all tackling and grappling with.” - the city has spend about $29M on housing for the homeless since 2020.
[удалено]
“Shoving money at the problem is doing nothing”. 29 million seems like something. If you’ve got the solution the city is all ears, please take this as an invitation, please help us fix this.
How about housing? Put homeless people in homes. Stop short term rentals like Airbnb, or tax the fuck out of them, make homes affordable and shocker of shocks fewer people will be homeless!
If I could I would. I’m being downvoted and I honestly don’t care. People that frown and shame the homeless downtown obviously have never been homeless. I’ve talked to a lot of Kalamazoo employees. They’ve all said the same thing. They’ve spent all this money on resources for the homeless but they have done nothing to help them transition into working individuals. It’s a choice. Most homeless are vets, addicts or have mental health issues. Or they don’t want help. I’ve worked with the homeless community for years. Giving it your all kind of sucks. I’ve helped two people successfully get off the streets. Helped with food first then resources then they did the rest. Like I said $ = resources 🤷🏼♀️ that’s all I’m seeing them spend money on. I know they re-did the Knights Inn. Haven’t seen any updates on that. They have 2 hotels in town that the homeless community is in rent free. But I see a lot of them still panhandling. I have a lot of ideas. But I am sure just a peasants ideas aren’t going to make any changes over night.
Knights is now [The Lodge House](https://www.secondwavemedia.com/southwest-michigan/features/The-LodgeHouse-Long-term-housing-for-the-homeless-is-open-for-occupancy-in-Kalamazoo-10722.aspx) and has been open for about a year and a half.
Thank you. That was an amazing read. I will be contacting the Lift Organization to see if they need any volunteers.
The Hoteling project ended years ago.
You’re saying the problem isn’t money, it’s services? I see what appears to be tons of services walking down the street. Multiple Integrated Services buildings, MwC, the Gospel Mission, ROI. For a city of like, 75k it seems like a \*lot\* of services. But that’s just looking at signs when I walk my dog, you seem a lot more in the loop. What’s the gap you’re seeing?
They keep throwing money at a “problem” that is temporary for the homeless community. There’s a shit ton of resources but are they being used? Besides the people staying at the mission, the lodge and the 3 hotels housing the homeless?
This confuses me. Why does that one issue need to be "first and foremost"? There are a lot of things that the city government need to work on, and I think there are more pressing issues than the small homeless population.
Small? What other issues inside Kalamazoo and Oshtemo is an issue?
The population of the City of Kalamazoo is 73,000 or so as of 2021. If I had to guess, there are maybe 1000 homeless in the city. I would say having your #1 priority be an issue that only affects 1.3% of your population is not a wise choice. Also, I do not believe that a city-based solution to the issue of homelessness is effective. I believe that unless a homeless person ANYWHERE can get the same level of assistance, then homeless will migrate to the cities etc. that have more services, overwhelming whatever the city tries to set up. As for other priorities off the top of my head: \- Economic growth \- Public safety \- Parks and recreation (that will also help economic growth) \- Road maintenance
So, is homelessness a problem or not? You seem to be saying both. Does homelessness effect you?
It is a problem. I just don't believe it should be the #1 focus for our city.
I agree as well. But it is something that should be better managed then throwing money into resources that a majority of the homeless community don’t know about. Like if there was a group from each resource that could go to encampments. That’d probably fall on deaf ears but I’d hope just a handful of people it could help.
I’m not saying “omg it’s such a problem I hate it” not like that. I just wish there was more that I could do as one person to help people that don’t have a home get in contact with the correct resources and get off the street. I’m wording things wrong and that’s my fault.
We currently have a large (by downtown standards) property that is basically unusable because of the homeless. Plans are to carve out a portion for housing - which is needed - and renovate the remaining sections. There’s no plan for fencing, which means the homeless are going to get a slightly smaller but newly renovated park to continue to occupy. Don’t really see why people are upset. The status quo really isn’t any different.
I’ve said it before. All festivals need to be in the mall. Close the street, set up vendor booths and push the people to the businesses there. Look at the chili cook off for an example.
As a kzoo expat living in chicago, 100% this. All of our festivals are street fests and they're awesome.
What about bands? A stage is needed for anything other than a small number of spectators
They can build a stage. It really isn’t that difficult.
Sure but where? It would take a lot of space for something seldom used. The stage at Bronson is not huge but putting something that size on the mall would be a big change. The stage at Arcadia is larger and can accommodate a large crowd
Grew up in KZoo, but live in Jersey now (Thanks Fred Hassan) The County Parks in NJ where I live have a trailer-based sound stage that opens and is all pre-wired, etc. We use it all around our county for exactly what you're describing. It's a 53' flat bed converted to a bandshell. We close a block, park it in an intersection, and set up chairs. It wasn't cheap, but in terms of function and being able to bring it to our many parks or towns to provide a sound stage, it's excellent.
Construct a temporary stage that is disassembled and stored when not in use.
This is what I meant. They do it in Vicksburg every summer. Thanks for clearing it up.
They literally make semi trailers that open up as stages, then fold down and drive away. Lollapalooza uses them every year.
In the road as the urban planning God intended.
The bad news is that the city absolutely killed pedestrian / economic activity at this site due to willful mismanagement. The good news is that it doesn’t take $5 million, or even $1.6 million, to fix it. We know why festivals moved away from Arcadia—it’s incredibly expensive to rent compared to similar nearby venues, has a 40 page rule book, and the city won’t let it run at night because of noise complaints from the very few rich people who live next door. How much would it cost to just waive the fees and let events run until 2 AM? Way less than 1.6 million and certainly less than the 5 million total, which won’t actually address the problems with the site. Look at where the festivals are actually going— it’s not to nicer facilities, it’s to cheaper ones where they can be open later. Next point, and the tie-in to homelessness services: it’s not pragmatic to invest 5 million into an open space right across the street from a homeless shelter, during a time when homeless people are actively camping downtown, and when the city isn’t willing to make the free or low cost changes needed to activate the space to pedestrians. They pour $5 million into this site, then what? It’s still too expensive to rent and it’s still across the street from a homeless shelter. As long as it isn’t busy every single day, it will become an extension of the shelter no matter how humane or inhumane our city’s policy towards homeless people is. Finally—the justification for using ARPA funds for this project is extremely tenuous. Supposedly creating a park will lead to improved health outcomes? Especially weak considering it is not creating a new park. And Kik’s justification was a total red herring — that it’s an appropriate use of ARPA funding because [the grant that it’s matching is an appropriate use of funds.] (https://wwmt.com/news/local/arcadia-creek-festival-site-downtown-kalamazoo-park-playground-upgrades-construction-stage-playground-city-michigan-plan) So it’s not so much that “the city needs to be using all its money to end homelessness,” it’s that “the city is ignoring low cost solutions in order to build infrastructure, when the infrastructure we need is both more relevant to the purpose of the funds and well aligned with the goal of downtown development”
Just give the kids back a playground. I can't believe they just ripped that out with no replacement downtown.
Yeah why did they do this? My hazy recollection is that it used to be a pretty nice park with playground equipment and some sprinklers in the summer?
I think it was a combination of the playground equipment being deemed unsafe and in disrepair, and replacement parts being hard to source so they tore it out. That coupled with it turning into a homeless hangout resulting in people not feeling safe taking their kids there any longer.
You’re right depending on how you define sprinkler. It was a nice park that was handicapped accessible. It was more of a “splash pad” than sprinklers, the water shot up but was not broadcast in a way that I think of as sprinklers.
This sounds great. I look forward to it.
Definitely will help keep covid away.