KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Starting Tuesday, December 1, a portion of North Pitcher Street is partially closed by Graphic Packaging International with a temporary permit issued by the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County (RCKC).
The closure is due to a construction project that the manufacturing company is undertaking. The closure will occur on North Pitcher Street from East Mosel Avenue South to the Kalamazoo city limits just north of East Prouty Street.
There will be detour signs posted.
According to a news release from Graphic Packaging, the street is expected to reopen in late 2021. However, this date is subject to change if construction crews experience unexpected delays.
Officials say the street closure is occurring to ensure the safety of residents, GPI employees, construction workers and construction vendors during the construction phase of an expansion project.
The $600 million expansion project is for the company’s Kalamazoo mill. Officials add that they expect the project to position Kalamazoo as the largest manufacturing location of coated recycled board in North America.
The project will have an estimated economic impact of $800 million annually and allow the company to retain 325 jobs and add 25 new jobs, according to officials.
This comes after the company was recently issued a state violation notice for starting a project before it had a permit issued.
It also comes after the City of Kalamazoo had voted earlier this fall to allow a tax break for Graphic Packaging, although heavily amended to make environmental impact improvements. More information on that subject can be found here.
