KALAMAZOO (WKZO) -- Kalamazoo City Commissioners want to demolish a scary, dangerous eyesore on Blakeslee, the old state psychiatric hospital, which neighbors say has been used as a love den by teenagers for years.
Spontaneous applause broke out when it was announced that the city and WMU could use $2-million in stimulus money for neighborhood redevelopment to take down the rotting 4 story building.
City Developer Jeff Chamberlain says the state abandoned it 20 years ago WMU’s Bob Miller says the University owns it and is glad to be rid of it. Laura Lam says the 12 acres will be given to the Kalamazoo Land Bank, which is financing the demolition and will redevelop the property.
At least 2 of the 12 acres will be dedicated to low cost housing for the elderly as it’s currently proposed. If they get all the red tape approved, they hope to begin tearing out the asbestos and lead this fall.
