Crane park Update 12/22/08

The development has been approved. The following is an update from the City

Some of the features of the plan that may be of interest to the neighborhood are as follows:

1. Summit Drive, which is the east-west street north of the tennis courts in Crane Park, will be reconstructed as part of the project and will include a brick surface similar to what exists at present. A new sidewalk will be added to the north side of the road, which will connect into the current sidewalk along Park Street.

2. Crane Avenue, which is the north-south park access road, will be blocked off at the north end with boulders or some other such feature.
This will eliminate cut-through traffic and direct vehicular access to the neighborhood from the condos.

3. The city Parks and Recreation Department will review the use of Crane Avenue including possible improvements to it, creation of an off-street parking lot in the park, and other desired improvements to the park.

4. No trees or other vegetation will be removed from Crane Park for the project. Existing trees at the perimeter of the condo property will be preserved and additional trees will be planted to provide screening for the abutting properties.

5. The private drive for the condo project will be 20 feet wide to accommodate emergency vehicle access.

6. Although existing trees will be removed for the condos, over 100 new trees will be planted on the site.

7. Outside lighting for the condos will be residential-type, and will not create light glare issues for neighboring properties.

We believe that this project will be an asset to Kalamazoo. As with all construction projects, there will be a certain amount of noise and commotion associated with the building work. It is our hope that such disturbances will be kept to a minimum and will not disrupt the quality of life enjoyed by the West edge Hill and Southside neighborhoods.

Thank you.