What's Happening in Westwood
Nichols Road & Solon Street construction.
Information
Solon Street & Nichols Road Construction Update:
Nichols Road & Solon Street Construction Update:
Kalamazoo Township
Road: Nichols Road - W. Main Street to Ravine Road
Current Status: Contractor anticipated to mobilize on site 5/19 for removals. Utility relocation anticipated to be underway.
Detour: Road closed to through traffic during the project. The detour route is West Main Street, Drake Road, Squires Drive, and Ravine Road.
Project Information: This project includes roadway resurfacing of Nichols Road from West Main Street to Ravine Road. Shoulder widening for non-motorized, curb and gutter, and storm sewer installation will occur with this project on Nichols Road between Alamo Avenue to Ravine Road. The traffic signal at Nichols Road and Grand Prairie will also be replaced and modernized.
Start Date: May 19, 2021
End Date: October 15, 2021
Road: Solon Street - City of Kalamazoo Limits to W. Main Street
Current Status: Contractor anticipated to mobilize on site 5/19 for removals. Utility relocation anticipated to be underway.
Detour: Road will remain open to traffic except for a couple of days during paving operations. At that time the detour route will be Arboretum Pkwy, Drake Road, Squires Drive, Ravine Road.
Project Information: This project includes milling and HMA overlay on Solon Street from West Main Street to the City of Kalamazoo Limits. This project will be coordinated and constructed with the Nichols Road project.
Start Date: May 19, 2021
End Date: October 15, 2021
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Solon Street & Nichols Road Construction
This will be a major project for Westwood with storm sewers, curbs and gutters being added to Nichols befween Alamo and Ravine, as well as adding a four foot walkway to each side of Nichols Road from Grand Prairie to Ravine.
The traffic signal at Grand Prairie will be replaced near the end of the project as that signal is quite old.
NO ROUND-ABOUT
Rumors flourished about the Nichols & Ravine intersection: will there be a round-about? How about a new traffic signal?
This project stops short of the intersection so this project will not be adding a traffic signal or round-about.
Where is the water going to go?
The water run-off will go through the new storm sewer, down the Nichols Road hill and empty into the catch basin at the southwest corner of the intersection.
Overflow goes under Nichols eastward to the drainage ditch that heads east to streams and beyond.
Kalamazoo Public Schools Impact.
Even though we don't have a complete schedule from the contractor, construction is scheduled to be complete on or about October 15, 2021.
The projected first day of school for KPS is supposed to be August 30, 2021.
There will certainly be some confusion and detours for buses and people driving kids to school and picking them up.
We know that all will work to keep everyone safe.
Effected Residents
Needless to say, lots of questions surface as each day moves forward so we'll try to post here and Facebook when we know something.
A little different type of construction
The RCKC has mentioned that the two streets will get a layer scraped off, then chip sealed and then resurfaced, stretching the lifetime of the street.
downtown train crossings
Getting Around Blocked Railroad Crossings
The City of Kalamazoo has been installing flashing lights and detour signs to help motorists escape gridlock when a freight train blocks car traffic downtown, according to a city manager working on the project.
The city's solution to the problem is to install several signs that will begin flashing when a train is passing through the downtown crossings. About 35 static detour signs show drivers how to get around the train, according to a plan provided by Department of Public Works Assistant City Engineer Anthony Ladd.
The system ties into the same equipment that is used to engage the crossing signals and is fully operational now.
The project is being funded by the Foundation For Excellence..
Deer Population
Deer Population in the City of Kalamazoo
The City of Kalamazoo is taking a survey to determine if the City needs to develop a "Deer Management" program.
The survey is asking City residents their experiences/encounters with the deer population in the City Portion of Westwood.
No idea what they might come up with, but so far, they want to know if there is a problem.
I know that Oakland Drive/Winchell Neighborhood Association has had many problems with the growing deer population, but the City wants more data.
The link follows:
Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/kzoodeer
Around Westwood
Traffic Safety
It seems like it gets worse every year - traffic, that is. Turning left on West Main Street is nearly impossible, unless you go to a traffic light. Nichols Road, Grand Prairie, Ravine and Drake are extremely busy.
Neighborhood "side streets" are subject to speeders - sometimes attempting to get around the traffic on arteries.
Your Association has suggested forming a committee of traffic monitors who will periodically do traffic monitoring. Not counting cars, but examining how vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic can continue to be safe as these levels increase. Are there bad hot spots? How about adding the school bus garage on Ravine Road?
Want to know more or be a part of this group, email wnakzoo@aol.com
See Something - Say Something 269-488-8911
We need to do our part - See Something, Say Something. The police can't be everywhere, all the time so we need to help.
Boil Water Advisories
Boil Water Advisories
Boil Water Advisories
Boil Water Advisories
If you see activity like this in your area, you might want to check for a boil water advisory for your street! https://www.kalamazoocity.org/bwa
Westwood Map
Boil Water Advisories
Boil Water Advisories
Westwood is part City and part Township so here is our latest version of a complete neighborhood map
We want to hear from you!
Tell Us Your Special Skills
Tell Us Your Special Skills
Tell Us Your Special Skills
Westwood is a great place to live, work and worship. We are a great community with neighbors who care about each other.
The neighborhood association would like to know what skills and interests each of you have so that we can connect you with events and no - obligation service opportunities as they come along.
Please fill out the following form to let us know more about you!
Do You See Needs?
Tell Us Your Special Skills
Tell Us Your Special Skills
Not all the residents of Westwood are 100% self-sufficient. Some have un-met needs - maybe as simple as a ride to a doctor appointment of to pick-up groceries or prescriptions. There are agencies to help or maybe a neighbor might want to assist?
Look around your neighborhood.
Help Knowing The Rules
Tell Us Your Special Skills
Help Knowing The Rules
Some neighbors are not aware that burning leaves, trash or garbage is against the law in Westwood. The city and township have similar ordinances against open burning and trash barrel burning.
Do you still have neighbors breaking the law? If you can furnish some information, we can see that they receive notice of the ordinance, without involving the governing agencies - unless it continues.
Tell Your Neighbors
Report Defective Street Lights
Help Knowing The Rules
Tell your neighbors about Westwood Neighborhood Association! They might be interested in the neighborhood, too!
Imagine Kalamazoo 2025
Report Defective Street Lights
Report Defective Street Lights
Kalamazoo has a project in which we are participating, called: IMAGINE KALAMAZOO 2025.
We want to have YOU think about and communicate to us what you would like Westwood to look like in 2025!
We welcome your comments at any time and plan some public events where people can express their insight. It's all about what you want to see!
A survey will be coming soon.
Report Defective Street Lights
Report Defective Street Lights
Report Defective Street Lights
You can easily report defective or not working street lights. We have a link to the reporting site where you can report the exact location:
Phone Contacts
Common to City & Township:
Police Non-Emergency Number 269-488-8911
Township Specific Phone Numbers & Links
Code Enforcement 269-381-8080 ext 137 This includes weeds & tall grass, fireworks, outside burning and sidewalk issues. ordinance@ktwp.org
City Specific Phone Numbers & Links
Tall grass & weeds - 269-337-8847
For other Code Enforcement: 269-337-8221. cokdevelopmentcenter@kalamazoocity.org