Edison Neighborhood

Named after a neighborhood school, the Edison Environmental Science Academy, a magnet elementary school, which was in turn, named after Thomas Edison, America’s best-known inventor, the Edison neighborhood is largely comprised of production, service and construction workers, people who have literally helped build and rebuild the city, as well as healthcare, office, and food service workers, people who take care of the city and its residents. And in the spirit of its namesake, Edison continues to invent itself, even when growth and revitalization have failed to deliver on hoped-for promises.With recent economic upturns both for the neighborhood and the city, as well as community and police efforts to lessen violent crime, the future looks bright. 

Edison is the first neighborhood being covered in the “On the Ground" series which amplifies the voices of Edison Neighborhood residents. Over three months, Second Wave journalists will be embedded in the Edison Neighborhood to explore topics of importance to residents, business owners, and other members of the community. 

The On the Ground program is made possible by funding from the City of Kalamazoo, LISC, the Fetzer Institute, the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, Michigan WORKS!, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.

Longform On the Ground Edison Dormouse Theater
Feature Story Edison Dental Day of Caring

Dental Day of Caring, a bright and cheery event


Feature Story OTG Northside Sickle Cell

Living with sickle cell anemia: A Northside family’s experience


Feature Story Edison Old Houses

Who needs a time machine? Edison preserves the past for you


Feature Story Esto Juarez
Feature Story OTG Edison wrap
Feature Story OTG Edison ENA
Feature Story OTG Edison Jay Jackson

Edison: A neighborhood where creativity inspires community


Feature Story OTG Edison Reed Park

Reed Park: Connecting community through neighborhood parks


Feature Story OTG Edison Washington Square

From boom to bust to boom: Washington Square makes an upturn


Feature Story On the Ground Edison
Feature Story On the Ground Edison Building Blocks
Feature Story On the Ground Edison Washington Writers Academy