Your Neighborhood News
Winter 2021 Under re-construction at this time
Neighborhood Traffic - What can be done
WNA Meeting Minutes in Minutes
Displaying a summary of the minutes from the most recent Westwood Neighborhood Association meeting
February 17, 2021 Zoom Meeting
WNA Meeting Feb 17, 2020
Public safety was discussed by Bob B and Chief Ergang (Kal Twsp) with assaults still way to often in Westwood. Crime diminishes with heavy snow. Twsp will be staring a different way of mapping. It will be countywide. Chief Ergang also mentioned legislation in the works to allow more input from County when speed limits and other street decisions are made, such as the increasing of speed limits on Nichols Road.
Chief Ergang also said if you see something, say something. The county wide non-emergency phone number is 488-8911. Don’t try to deal with issues like strange people at your door – call.
Trustee Leuty’s presention on non-motorized/sidewalks was very informative. Funding is a problem. For have more info (see below).
Twsp Planners are discussing Sidewalks, solar panels, home offices and accessory offices and fence requirements for marijuana business (security).
Still working on the Master Plan – maps.
Commissioner Strebs reported on County Health Dept Vaccine distribution. Kal county is ahead of the State and crews are hard at work
Sidewalks were also discussed!
Sidewalks in Westwood are a big deal - many need repair from sections lifting or cracking and some areas have no sidewalks at all.
To learn more, (Click Here)
Traffic
West Main Traffic
Traffic anywhere near West Main & Drake Road is a problem - to say the least!
If you need to travel through that intersection, allow extra time and be alert and aware as many driers are going to not know to enter the drive-up.
It has been a dangerous area for years and now, well it's worse.
Chick-fil-A Opened January 14, 2021
The new Chick-fil-A is open at West Main & Drake Road!
So far, traffic has been managed well by Chick-fil-A, Kalamazoo Public Safety and the Township Police!
It was a well thought-out plan and it's working!
The restaurant is donating a year of Chick-fil-A to 100 local Heroes!
Consider Alternate Poutes
Rather than putting your neighbors in danger buy driving down residential side streets, try Nichols Road and Grand Prairie. Returning to West Main to go West from that intersection might not be so bad?
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..
More information:
Remember The Blight At West Main & Drake?
BP station in Westwood Plaza:
The building has been raised! Plans are to add additional stores to compliment existing businesses in the area.
This has been a long time coming!
Thanks has gone out to Treystar Developers for convincing the property owner to allow removal and thanks to the Westwood neighborhood for keeping the pressure up!
Around Westwood
C & D Recycling Center
The former Kalamazoo Wrecking site on the South-East corner of Nichols & Ravine Roads has been cleaned up by Art Mulder, owner of Mulder's Landscape Supplies. There is no question that this property was overdue for a complete clean-up.
The future of the property has been the topic of much discussion across Westwood and the County, as a Construction and Demolition Recycling Center has now been planned for the cleaned-up property. The project needs many approvals before it can be realized. We will be following each step on the web page (see recycle center heading).
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
Working on this
City Specific Phone Numbers & Links
Working on this