Commission approves $3 million design contract for West Michigan/South Lovell under RAISE planning grant

The Kalamazoo City Commission authorized the City Manager at its March 2 meeting to execute a professional-services agreement with Whiteman Associates for design work on West Michigan and South Lovell, funded through a RAISE 2022 planning grant.

Dennis Randolph, public works division manager, described the project as part of a multi-year corridor program funded by federal grants that will include surveying, preliminary design, NEPA processing and coordination with MDOT and FHWA. He said the work ties to other federal projects and to the city's Complete Streets goals and that the RAISE grant provides planning funds while MDOT local agency rules will govern procurement and review.

Randolph said the contract covers engineering and design work and that the broader program has secured roughly $12 million in federal design funds for related work. He told the commission the design phase aims for substantial NEPA clearance by June and design development through 2027; major construction at the intersection was tentatively scheduled for late 2028–2029, pending coordination with related projects and Corps of Engineers work on floodplain protections.

Commissioners asked about scoring and selection. Randolph said a QBS (quality-based selection) process produced seven proposals and Whiteman was chosen based on their response to the RFP; staff confirmed the firm assured capacity to perform despite other downtown contracts they hold. Council approved the motion to authorize the contract by roll-call vote.

The commission's action authorizes the manager to sign the professional-services agreement and to submit required documentation to MDOT as part of the local-agency program process. NEPA, SHPO and other federal compliance steps were identified as potential timeline risks that staff will manage.

The approval passed by roll call following a motion by Commissioner Slaby and support from Commissioner Hess; the clerk recorded unanimous yes votes from present commissioners.