After Kalamazo County Commissioners passed on putting a tax increase on an August ballot to fund a proposed Kalamazoo arena, proponents are turning to the private sector to revive the project.
The proposed downtown Kalamazoo arena would house the Kalamazoo Wings (IHL) and Western Michigan sports teams. Owned by Western Michigan, the proposed nine-acre site could also house private development if a group calling for the facility gets its way.
That’s a big if. Nine acres for a decent-sized facility isn’t a whole lot to begin with, and adding more development to the mix will complicate things more. Still, the feeling is that if the arena can draw in private money it’s a better investment for the county.
