WMU's BTR Park Phase 2 moves into final design development; final community forum set

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The team of Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber and O’Boyle, Cowell, Blalock, & Associates is entering the final stages of the design plan for the expansion of Western Michigan University's Business Technology and Research Park onto the property known as the Colony Farm Orchard.

Final public session scheduled

Throughout the six-month design process, the FTCH/OCBA team held public input sessions and meetings with an advisory committee to give the neighbors and community stakeholders a voice in the process. Now, the last session is set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 20, at Oshtemo Township Hall, 7275 W. Main Street. The team will present the proposed site layout as well as outline the plans for open space, parking, landscape themes and site preservation.

This Phase 2 plan for the BTR Park will also be used to seek certification under the Sustainable SITES Initiative to create an ecologically resilient community. The presentation on June 20 will discuss the plans to align the land development with sustainability goals for the community.

The first BTR Park was developed as a partnership between the city of Kalamazoo and WMU. The Colony Farm Orchard property that will become Phase 2 is located within the boundaries of Oshtemo Township and will be developed as a partnership between that government entity and the University.

For more information about the BTR Park, contact WMU's Bob Miller, associate vice president for community outreach. For information about the design development process and community input opportunities, contact FTC&H's Jenny Waugh at (616) 745-9414.