Urban Renewal in Kalamazoo, Michigan: A Case Study
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Authors
Mernitz, Douglas Frederick, 1946-2009
Issue Date
1968
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
In 1957, a comprehensive plan was drawn up for the rede
velopment of downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan. Kalamazoo 19801,
as it was called, was a remarkably progressive program which
entailed the creation of pedestrian areas in the very heart
of the city, a peripheral road around the core, elevated expressways
to facilitate travel through Kalamazoo, vast parking
areas to acccfflBOdaite the expected future number of private
automobiles and generally more productive use of the land in
the inner city. The Burdick Mall was, though a roaring success, only a minor part of
Kalamazoo 1980. It was intended to be, in fact, one of the
finishing touches of the total Plan. The leaders of the
governmental, intellectual and business elites were now faced
with the awesome task of utilizing the impetus of the mall's
success for gaining public acceptance of the more significant—
if less sensational—parts of the Plan. The City Manager,
Clarence Elliott, said shortly after the mall dedication ceremonies,
"We've got a bear by the tail and we won't be able to wait
until 1980 to complete the entire program." At the present
time, however, realization of even the second step is a remote
possibility. Mr. Elliott now expects that the people will
be asked to vote on the issue, and he "doubts" that it will
pass.
It is my intent with this thesis to make a case study of
the eight years between the Manager's two statements to discover the reasons behind the stagnation of the downtown renewal
program in Kalamazoo. The question can be simply stated.
Why, with the general planning completed and with the support
of virtually every influential group and individual in the city,
do we now reflect over the failure to progress along the lines
drawn out by the Plan?
If you are not a current K College student, faculty, or staff member, email dspace@kzoo.edu to request access to this SIP.
If you are not a current K College student, faculty, or staff member, email dspace@kzoo.edu to request access to this SIP.
Description
ii, 107 p.
Citation
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License
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