The City of Kalamazoo is kicking off a new planning process to shape the city’s vision and work plans for the next decade.

The community is invited to participate in an 18-month process called Imagine Kalamazoo 2035.

The first step of the process is an open house and presentation at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts at 5 p.m. Thursday, September 19. This will be followed by a strategic vision and master plan presentation starting at 6 p.m. The event concludes at 7:30 p.m.

Over the next four years, city staff will hold meetings, conduct surveys, and speak with focus groups to gather community input and feedback.

“What kind of city do you want to be in 2035?” Kalamazoo City Manager Jim Ritsema asked. “We want to answer that question together, and then envision how we’re going to get there. We are going to be looking for everyone’s perspective during this process, so we hope everyone will take advantage of these opportunities and be a part of IK 2035.”

The process will be divided into five phases: “Imagine It!,” “Plan It!,” “Design It!,” “Draft It!,” and “Adopt It!” Each phase will become more focused and specific as the process advances. The strategic vision and master plan documents will be drafted and presented for review and approval by the end of the process.

Since the city’s last strategic plan was finalized in 2017, 99% of the projects and programs outlined in the document have either been completed or are in progress, according to a city press release.

The Foundation for Excellence has invested more than $100 million in the city since it was founded.

“The results of this plan will have a huge impact on the work that will happen in the city over the next 10 years,” Ritsema said. “Now is the time to have your voice heard and to be a part of Kalamazoo’s foundational 10-year plans.”