KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Kalamazoo Event Center has released the second episode of Behind the Build, an original docuseries taking viewers behind the scenes of the $500+ million privately funded project taking shape in downtown Kalamazoo.
Titled “Built for Growth,” Episode 2 looks beyond the construction site to explore the larger vision behind the Kalamazoo Event Center and the role the project is expected to play in the continued growth of downtown Kalamazoo and the surrounding region.
The episode hears directly from local small businesses, including Dabney & Co., Pop City Popcorn, The Spirit of Kalamazoo and City Centre Market & Deli, about what increased activity downtown could mean for the businesses and people already part of the community.
The episode also features Southwest Michigan First & Discover Kalamazoo, providing a broader perspective on economic development and the potential ripple effect of a project of this scale, from attracting more visitors downtown to creating opportunities for continued investment and growth across the region.
When complete, the Kalamazoo Event Center is expected to welcome more than 700,000 visitors annually, host 230+ events each year and generate an estimated $50+ million in annual economic impact.
Behind the Build launched in June 2026 and will continue through the Event Center’s anticipated opening in fall 2027, documenting the people, decisions and progress bringing the project to life.
