Road construction takes over downtown Buchanan, businesses still accessible

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- Summertime in Michiana always brings those dreaded orange cones along with it, but folks in Buchanan are getting hit a little bit harder with road construction this season.

A chunk of downtown Buchanan's streets are stripped down to dirt as crews work to make improvement, but of course, the construction has some residents sounding off, wondering when it will end.

"We're at the point right now in the project where everybody's getting a little apprehensive," says Tony McGhee, Buchanan City Manager. "'What's this going to do?' 'We're feeling the impacts of it', 'Where do we go from here?'"

McGhee says it's the result of multiple projects happening all at once.

"There's a significant redevelopment effort going on, including redoing several thousand feet of water lines, sewer lines, roads, new amenities in the downtown area," McGhee explains.

Right now, parts of Redbud Trail and surrounding side streets are gutted, but the next phase of the project will take aim in the heart of Buchanan on Front Street.

"We're taking different routes, we kind of know where to avoid and where to be right now," says Sidney Finan, Owner of the Stranger Wine Company.

Finan will be opening the doors to her brand-new storefront for her wine tasting room, Stranger Wine Company, just as construction begins outside those doors.

"My husband and I have always said we thrive in chaos, so for us to be opening up in the midst of massive road construction is actually very on-brand for us," Finan says.

She joins the dozen of other downtown businesses who have the 'It is what it is' mindset and are just looking forward to how it will help their business in the long run.

"We can deal with it however we need to throughout the construction," says Fian. "When it's all done, we're going to have beautiful new streets and infrastructure and the commons, so it's a little bit of an inconvenience for a really greater, long-term goal."

Even if it looks like chaos downtown in the next few weeks, city leaders say Every business will still be accessible.

"It might take you an extra minute to get to a local business, but it's important to support that local business," McGhee says.

All of Buchanan's beloved summer events including Munchie Mondays, the summer concert series, and the farmer's market are still a go.

"I think that there's going to be a lot for people to come for, even if our roads are a little disheveled," Finan says.

McGhee tells ABC57 all of the construction is expected to be done by November.

You can keep up with progress of the project on the city of Buchanan's Facebook page, or the dedicated website for the project.