BUCHANAN CITY COMMISSION IGNORES CONCERNED CITIZENS, REDUCES THEIR RESIDENTIAL PARKING

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
BUCHANAN – Buchanan City Commissioners received an unexpected piece of good economic news at their meeting last week with the announcement by Dr. Ayana Redding that she has plans to turn the vacant Stark Elementary School into a nursing college.
Redding is the director of education for ALR Educational Health Services, Inc. The plan is to offer one-year courses not only in practical nursing but also in medical assisting and phlebotomy. She said she is in the process of getting accreditation for the courses and already has clinical relationships with Corewell Health and Beacon Health.
The educator’s announcement was greeted with praise and best wishes from City Commissioners. “You don’t know how ecstatic I am about your plans,” Commissioner Dan Vigansky said. Commissioner Larry Money echoed that sentiment.
Redding said after the meeting that she hopes to close on the purchase of the building in the next few months with the goal of having a grand opening in October. She currently uses a building in downtown Niles for training students; that location will remain open as well.
Last week’s meeting also featured action on a temporary traffic order for two local streets and the purchase of two tax foreclosed properties.
In the first matter, Suzana Cvejic and Beverly Archer of Theoda Court said they opposed the commission’s action earlier in the meeting to temporarily prohibit parking on Theoda and Charles Courts until the end of the downtown construction. The women said that they were not informed of the change ahead of time and they didn’t think it was needed.
City Manager Tony McGhee told commissioners that Buchanan residents and emergency services are using the two streets to get around the downtown construction. He said those streets are narrow and parking along them reduces the space available for vehicles to get through, including fire trucks and emergency vehicles.
After hearing from all parties, commissioners voted to overrule the residents of the streets and reduce their available parking without prior notice. Temporary “No Parking” signage will be posted, and anyone found in violation will be ticketed. In response, the residents appeared to be disgruntled.
McGhee also gave an update regarding ongoing construction, stating downtown streets should be opening after Labor Day, while the whole downtown will not open until early November. Meanwhile Schirmer Parkway should be done in the next 2-3 weeks. McGhee noted that paving work on Red Bud Trail and River Street is expected to be done by July 25.
The tax foreclosed properties the city will be purchasing are at 503 Arctic St. and 420 Elizabeth St., both on the city’s north side. McGhee reported that the city can buy both properties from the county for less than $2,500.
Vigansky was skeptical about the purchase, saying that it typically takes a long time to sell these properties once they’re purchased. McGhee noted that the city already owns 11 other properties in that area and will offer them all as a package to potential developers.
The next city commission meeting will be held on July 28 at 7pm at City Hall, when there will be a public hearing on a short term rental ordinance.