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BUCHANAN – Buchanan City Commissioners tackled a number of subjects at their meeting Monday, ranging from the current infrastructure work and other current projects to a new National Register of Historic Places designation and bringing back the Downtown Development Authority.

      Monday’s meeting began with a presentation by State Rep. Brad Paquette on the trail extension project which was kicked off with a groundbreaking ceremony March 10. Paquette presented a plaque signed by himself, State Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist to the city.

      Paquette praised the efforts of local elected officials as well as the Friends of McCoy Creek Trail organization in successfully getting the funding to extend the trail out from the city of Buchanan to the River St. Joe Brewery.

“This project embodies the shared vision and determination of Buchanan leaders,” he said. “… This is another step toward connecting the McCoy Creek Trail to the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail.”

Friends of the Trail president Jerry Flenar spoke next, thanking Community Development Director Rich Murphy, DPW Director Mike Baker, Southwest Michigan Planning Commission planner Marcy Hamilton and representatives from Wightman & Associates.  He also thanked Mona Livingston of American Electric Power for AEP’s donation to the project.

      Local historian Peter Lysy also made a presentation to the city, noting that the Buchanan City Hall building has recently been named to the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Clark Equipment National Register Historic District. 

“A building doesn’t have to be old to be a contributing resource to the district,” he said. “Without this building, the district would be diminished.”

      Lysy reported that the city hall building was constructed in 1966 and was part of the Clark administrative complex at a time when it was one of the 200 largest industrial companies in the United States.

Mayor Mark Weedon read proclamations honoring the addition of the city hall building to the National Register as well as honoring AEP for their response to the March 30 storms that swept through the area and hit Buchanan especially hard with trees down and people left without power.

“AEP responded with urgency to restore power in a remarkably short period of time,” Weedon said. “We want to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for their swift response. I’ve never seen a response time so swift.”

In reports, Murphy updated everyone on the projects going on in the city at present. “A lot is going on in Buchanan right now,” he said. “… This is all part of investing in the quality of life here. It’s like ripping a band aid off right now with the infrastructure project, we have to keep our eyes on the prize.”

He reported that the demolition of the old feed mill property should get underway soon and take four to six weeks to complete. The downtown infrastructure project is also continuing and regular updates are available on the city’s website and social media. “We’re trying to stay on top of things and tell people what’s happening ahead of time,” he said.

In action related to the $19.4 million downtown infrastructure project, city commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds. City Manager Tony McGhee said the city will be issuing bonds to pay for part of the infrastructure project not covered by the U.S.D.A. loan package as well as emergency street paving work.

He said the city’s intention is to borrow up to $2 million for 20 years to pay for the infrastructure and paving work. He said his goal is to negotiate an interest rate of 4.75 percent or better and to not have a pre-payment penalty. He will bring the final contract back to the commission.

In action, the commission approved a contract with Astrong Construction to replace the Tin Shop Theatre roof at a cost of $10,020. That work will be done in coming weeks, while work on the Common roof will be done in August.

McGhee asked commissioners to look over a draft of proposed amendments to the city’s Downtown Development Authority ordinance in order to reconstitute the DDA as well as the accompanying tax increment financing authority.

The amended DDA ordinance is expected to be the subject of two public hearings later this month and in early May. Officials said the goal is to get everything in place in order to start capturing tax increment financing this year. Commissioners urged people to apply online or at city hall to be on the new DDA board.