The city of Buchanan has been awarded a $1 million state grant for its downtown infrastructure project.
The governor’s office on Wednesday announced $25 million in grants for communities throughout the state from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Revitalization and Placemaking program. Buchanan City Manager Tony McGhee tells us the $1 million headed Buchanan’s way will be a big help with a major project now underway.
“It’s actually going to help with some of our financing for the downtown project we have currently underway,” McGhee said. “Project total that’s about $18 million, so this infusion of capital from MEDC really helps our capital stack finalize and come together for the entire project.”
McGhee says the downtown project involves the replacement of 100-year-old water lines, sewers, streets, landscaping, and more. This MEDC grant is going specifically to a portion of Front Street.
“A really unique part of the design of the downtown project is what’s called a tabletop or festival street. So, a portion of Front Street downtown will actually be curbless. So from door to door, between our buildings will be at one elevation.”
McGhee says that will allow for flexibility so the city can use it for either parking or pedestrian access, depending on the circumstance. Benches and planters will be used to separate the vehicle and pedestrian areas at different times.
The grant funding came to the state through the federal American Rescue Plan, but McGhee isn’t concerned about the feds clawing that money back because he says most of the downtown project will be completed this year. The grant will simply help offset some of the $18 million cost.
Meanwhile, the MEDC also announced a $1.2 million grant for the village of Cassopolis Wednesday. The village will use it for a downtown facade improvement program and a new trail from the sidewalk downtown to the SMART Park. From there, the plan is to connect the SMART park to Dr. TK Lawless County Park.
