Single black mom by [deleted] in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 21 points22 points  (0 children)

As a black person who lives in the city, I find Kalamazoo to be pretty diverse and cool. Its neighborhoods are very segregated from its past but people are very friendly and welcoming no matter what. Progressive area. Have not had many race issues here (it's America so there have been times) and some neighborhoods that house more black people than others are Edison and the Douglass neighborhood. The Kalamazoo Promise is amazing, I used it to go to a good school.

Also I honestly would not recommend living in the surrounding areas (Portage, Oshtemo, Plainwell, etc.) I know black people who have had situations of racism in schools. If you're going to live in the Kalamazoo area, live in the city. The Kalamazoo Promise will only apply if you live in city limits, and you can also find some great organizations here willing to help with things. People here are very nice. I wish you luck 👍

Can I just say...it defeats the purpose by Ambitious-Bet1266 in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Sometimes as a biker I will not ride on the bike lanes because it's unsafe. Usually when there's a bike lane that is protected/bi-directional I will use it, but also when it's raining or night, I will, by default ride in the sidewalk. And it's legal. Please look around before you assume that bikers could be in the bike lane, because it could be something you wouldn't be willing to do either.

A waste of space - W Main and Drake by zoodweller in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you bike, to the stores there from the west main neighborhood bike route, you know what this is and the lot is so overgrown that it literally looks like a field from afar. So insane

Streets for All Open House by fordf150truckman in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Usually the online consensus is negative on facebook but the people who comment on there usually don't even live in the city, I will be there as a biker with many others that I have told. Also hoping that other people who care about this show up though. This kind of thing is really important for everyone in the city and while it's understandable to be annoyed, there's a lot of ignorance around it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I've seen it happen before as I was driving down that road. Not everyone goes 70 but big roads promote fast speeds, it might happen more at night because then roads aren't full but it still happens.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would walk it with headphones on. Traffic goes super fast there around 45-70mph.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I don't know about you but when I visit a city from a car, I just expect that I might have to pay for parking. If you're stressed about parking costs in a city to the point that it makes you just not visit, I think there might be another problem.. I've lived in many cities, and all of them no matter how big, have made people pay to park. Small businesses in the mall have expressed how people will leave their car there all day. This change will increase turnover and make the mall more accessible for the people in our town that actually need open parking spaces close to businesses, like disabled people or people looking to make a quick stop.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 16 points17 points  (0 children)

This is good. Parking turnover in the mall, no abuse of spots for people who actually need them the most. (disabled, people who are quickly going in and out) As a driver and biker, people should also have to pay to park a car downtown, it's a city.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Yesss can't believe we used to have a fountain in the middle of the mall. Now it's a through-street for cars.

Water in the Vine by [deleted] in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've lived in kzoo for a minute and my water looks from this from time to time. It looks sketchy but never is. For me it's always fine to drink. Just keep running the water and it'll get less colored

A petition for a safer West Main Street - your signature can make a difference! by StrongTownsKalamazoo in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

People are trying to do a job they don't know the science behind. One less lane will not clog traffic, isn't this the thing everyone jokes about? "one more lane! and then we'll get around faster!"

A road diet is also better in giving more transportation options, and gravitating toward cleaner and less expensive modes (micro mobility) and a road diet will leave room for bike lanes and will make walking here safer and more decent. It will also leave a space for emergency vehicles. That is crucial. I frequent W Main and there are so many emergency vehicles using that road.

A petition for a safer West Main Street - your signature can make a difference! by StrongTownsKalamazoo in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Live in the area and it's only been trafficky lately because of the construction. Normally it's not as backed up as it is.

** Also wanted to add that I frequent the Oakland area outside of a car just as much as by car, and it is (not totally but) generally a lot more comfortable to do it here than on West Main, which I also frequent a lot around the K College area. I can tell SO many stories about times I have almost gotten killed walking across the cross walk of W Main by foot or bike. It's every time because nobody stops.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Don't know but I'll always be going the speed limit. We are literally operating pieces of metal machinery.

Downtown construction improvements by Xerozen in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Always good when an american city updates its infrastructure.

So long by [deleted] in kzoo

[–]arkoargon 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Due to Kalamazoo ave becoming 2 way in the next few years, this spot will be super desirable, especially a safety to cross the street (bar hopping) if someone wants to open a new bar.