KALAMAZOO, MI — The developers and dignitaries that broke ground at the Kalamazoo Event Center Friday, Sept. 26, are visualizing the future of Kalamazoo.

Right now, the idea of thousands of people walking through the city before a concert might sound far fetched.

“Kalamazoo always punches above its weight,” said City Commissioner Chris Praedel. “I think this is one of those examples of what we’re capable of.”

The $515 million project promises to bring more than 300,000 people to downtown Kalamazoo each year for concerts and sporting events. It will be home to Western Michigan University’s basketball teams and hockey teams, plus the Kalamazoo Wings hockey team.

By providing parking for just a quarter of the arena’s capacity, even the parking plan is designed to get visitors into the cit

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