City leaders in Buchanan are touting the success the community’s had in the last couple of years seeing through “A Vision for Buchanan,” a downtown planning document that was drafted starting in 2021 to lay out development goals.
Community Development Assistant Director Ashley Regal tells us the city worked with architecture students from Andrews University on the vision.
“It’s a tool to really make sure that we’re all marching to the beat of the same drum, that we’re working together, that we see the value in this community, we see where it’s going,” Regal said.
Since the document’s completion, Regal says the city has seen several development goals reached. It has obtained grants for a new kayak launch in the river and for an ecological restoration plan. Improvements have been made at Victory Park, and previously vacant buildings are now in use. That includes the former Hometown Video building that’s now a business incubator.
Regal says it’s satisfying to see things happening.
“It’s really cool to actually take the book to some of these sites as well and just see the side-by-side and how literal some of these projects are. So some of them include like getting a riverfront master plan that really echoes what was outlined in A Vision for Buchanan three years ago.”
Regal says another exciting development on the way is the boutique hotel and bar coming to a former livery stable on Days Avenue, supported with $1.25 million from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Regal says the Vision for Buchanan is a way for anyone to learn about things that could be coming to town and also for city leaders to guide the master plan. Just this week, the city went on a visioning tour with representatives of Cornerstone Alliance and Place and Main Advisors as more consideration goes into the downtown.
You can see the Vision for Buchanan at NicestPlaceToWalk.com.
