Former factories become a space for local creators
Once home to Kalamazoo heavy industry like a paraffin wax factory and an asbestos tile manufacturer, the neighborhood of Edison is now home to creators of a different sort. Industrial buildings that once held the Former Ford Buggy Company and the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Company now hold a group of small businesses like Fiddle Leaf Café and industrial design firm Argenta Park. These businesses are part of Jerico, a collective of small businesses breathing new life into Edison’s industrial sector along Fulford Street. “They’re aiming for this space to be a small business incubator,” says Nick Jobbitt, twenty-year Kalamazoo resident and co-owner of Argenta Park. “Where people actually create things, as opposed to just conducting business.”
Fiddle Leaf Cafe is a neighborhood coffee house, perfect for getting work done in Edison.
The Wax Factory is a creative green space located in the Edison neighborhood.
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Homes from the early 1900s
Industry is impossible without workers, and Edison’s residential enclaves were built to house the factory workers of the neighborhood’s industrial golden age. This means Edison homes are mostly traditional in design and well-built. “Milwood homes are old,” says Ben Barber, Realtor at Keller Williams Kalamazoo, “but Edison is a little older. You’ll see homes from the 1800s, but I’d say most were built from the early 1900s to 1940.” Though they share a common era, Edison homes vary from Cape Cods to gablefronts, ranch-style to Tudor inspired. The median price is $120,000, but home prices have increased significantly over the past few years. “Five years ago, you could’ve bought a nice home in Edison for $80,000,” Barber says. “Now, you’ll probably pay about $150,000 to $160,000.”
A row of Gablefront homes line a quiet street in the Edison neighborhood.
Gablefront homes and American Foursquares are typical along Edison's boulevard streets.
A beautiful Tudor-inspired, two-story home is a larger option in Edison.
Cape Cod homes are a popular option in the Edison neighborhood.
Gablefront homes and American Foursquares are typical along the boulevards of Edison.
Gablefront homes and American Foursquares are typical along the boulevards of Edison.
A row of Gablefront homes line a quiet street in the Edison neighborhood.
Smaller, single-family homes are emblematic of the typical housing stock in Edison.
A beautiful Tudor-inspired, two-story home is a larger option for house shoppers in Edison.
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Bike or bus all over Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Metro buses serve stops throughout Edison and many of the neighborhood’s streets are lined with sidewalks, so owning a car is unnecessary for traveling the area. However, drivers have easy access to the American Veterans Memorial Highway, which runs through the neighborhood and connects to Interstate 94 just east of the city. Recently, the city has started adding bike lanes, giving residents another option for getting around.
Local produce, ceramics and a tasty chicken sandwich
Edison is a hotspot for fresh produce, local shops and locally loved restaurants. The Kalamazoo Farmers Market sits on Bank Street near Upjohn Park, and Town & Country Supermarket and La Hispanica International Market offer groceries on Edison’s Southside. Besides groceries, the neighborhood has a few local shops popping up, and Edison residents have been good to them. “Edison’s a great up-and-coming spot,” says Shay Church, co-owner of Grayling Ceramics in Edison. “It’s been clean and safe, and the people here are really supportive.” Grayling Ceramics, co-owned by Shay and his wife Maura, offers handmade ceramic wares in their workshop and showroom on Palmer Avenue. On the opposite end of the neighborhood, the small business collective Jerico occupies three historic buildings, offering 23 studio spaces for local artists and entrepreneurs. The studios attract shops like Fiddle Leaf Café, the Kalamazoo Backyard Yogis yoga studio, industrial design agency Argenta Park and more. Less than a mile east of Jerico, Lake Street holds one of Edison’s most beloved breakfast spots. Known for its cinnamon pancakes and other popular breakfast options, Julianna’s Restaurant has served Edison since 1989. On South Burdick Street, Nonla Burger garners love with dishes like their hot chicken sandwich and shake of the day.
The Kalamazoo Farmers Market is a vibrant community event in the Edison neighborhood.
Beautiful ceramics are on view in the showroom of Grayling Ceramics in Edison.
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Hiking, biking or enjoying street art
Spanning 18 acres and holding Kalamazoo’s only 50-meter outdoor swimming pool, Upjohn Park is one of the busiest parks in the city. Residents can join a pickup game on the park’s basketball courts or drop into the bowl at its skate park. Walkers and bikers of Edison can head to Mayors Riverfront Park and hit the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail alongside the Kalamazoo River. The park also houses stadiums for local teams like the Kalamazoo Growlers baseball team and the Kalamazoo Football Club. For a different outdoor experience, Edison residents head to Fulford Street, where Matthew Schmidt has converted the industrial courtyard of the former Kalamazoo Paraffin Company building into an open space for street art. Grass and wildflowers give the space a frontyard feel, while its industrial backdrop lends a gritty street vibe with brightly colored works by artists like ASMA, Bonus Saves and Orik.
Upjohn Park, located in Edison, includes a full-size outdoor swimming pool and other amenities.
Neighborhood kids play a game of basketball in Reed Street Park in Edison.
One of the creative murals depicted on an old building at The Wax Factory in Edison.
A large mural in Edison's Washington Square showcases the community in the 1940s.
Take a short walk from Edison to Bronson Park, which has beautiful gardens and displays.
Mayor's River Front Park, located close to Edison, is home to the Growlers baseball team.
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The Kalamazoo Promise
Edison students can begin their educational journey at Edison Academy, which offers pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade classes and earns a C on Niche. Middle schoolers can attend Grade 6 through Grade 8 at B-graded Maple Street Magnet School, which pairs all incoming sixth-graders with an eighth-grade mentor to help them acclimate to middle school. Loy Norrix High School earns a B-plus and has turned out famous writers, football players and musicians. All the schools participate in The Kalamazoo Promise, which provides qualifying students 100% tuition and fees for nearly all of Michigan’s colleges and universities.
The Edison Environmental Science Academy is part of the celebrated Kalamazoo Promise.
Milwood Elementary School is part of the Kalamazoo Promise, a free tuition program.
Loy Norrix High School is part of the Kalamazoo Promise, a free college tuition program.
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Events to support mental health and the arts
The Wax Factory isn’t just a venue for displaying art. Schmidt works with organizations like the Michigan Arts and Music Resources Collaborative and Gryphon Place to hold events like a summer barbecue, promoting the arts and championing mental health. Community is the most outstanding characteristic of the neighborhood and its events. The Edison Neighborhood Association is active in the community and organizes events like the Washington Avenue Arts and Culture Crawl, a mile-long showcase of music, paintings and other visual arts.
Some risk of flooding
With the Kalamazoo River running along the north of Edison and Portage Creek along the west, some of the neighborhood’s homes are at risk of impact from flooding in the next thirty years. Data from the website Risk Factor indicates nearly 33% of Edison properties are at risk of flood impact. The site reports that residential properties are at moderate risk while commercial and infrastructure properties may be at severe risk, meaning a substantial flood could overwhelm certain public services.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sherrie Nowicki,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Dutton Street Park
Crane Park
Bronson Park
Mayors Riverfront Park
Upjohn Park
Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
Hays Park
Reed Street Park
Southside Park
Transit
Airport
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International
14 min drive
Bus
Portage & Alcott (Nw Corner)
Bus
E. Alcott St. & 251 E. Alcott Street
Bus
Mills & Walnut & Kings HWY
Bus
East Stockbridge Avenue & Race Street
Bus
Portage & Walnut (Se Corner)
Bus
Jasper St & E. Vine St
Bus
Portage & Clinton (Nw Corner)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Edison
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Edison, Kalamazoo sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Edison, Kalamazoo over the last 12 months is $119,291, up 3% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Many Possible Uses! Corner Lot of East Stockbridge & John Street...Across The Street From Dollar General...Currently Vacant Land...Former Use Was A Gas Station...Zoned Commercial..Lot Dimensions 132'X33'.
This home has a nearly finished interior remodel, with most of the heavy lifting already done and the remaining materials included. With just a bit of sweat equity, this could be the perfect primary residence or rental property. The home offers convenient back alley access for parking, with room to add a future garage. The exterior features vinyl siding, soffits, and fascia, and composite shingle
Very solid 2 story home in Kalamazoo. Newer electrical system, 7 year old furnace. Convenient parking, easy access to downtown and Bronson Hospital. Has a separate dinning room, quaint kitchen and partially enclosed front porch. Upstairs has 3 spacious bedrooms and a bathroom.
Property Id: 985618Spacious Edison-neighborhood Kalamazoo apartment with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, large living room, full kitchen. Charming feel with updated amenities. Off-street parking included in lease, secluded yard setting. Located within 5 minute walk to local restaurants/shopping. Shared laundry located in basement. Additional basement storage available. Cat & small-dog friendly
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom on lower level. Front porch. Hardwood floors. Laundry hookup in the basement. Tenant is responsible for: Gas/Electric & Garbage Included: Water/sewer & Mowing. $895/month, $895 security deposit, $400 non-refundable cleaning fee. Please call Property Management Systems at 269-323-7771. *Property Management Systems is licensed to see Real Estate in the State of Michigan*
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sherrie Nowicki,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
8,685
Median Age
31
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
31.1%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$46,379
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$51,882
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
87.1%
College Graduates
19.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.4%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
33''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
45/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
49/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
