DOWNTOWN BUCHANAN MI ROADWORK THREATENS LOCAL BUSINESS SURVIVAL

Dear Editor, 

I’m writing on behalf of the downtown Buchanan community. Our small businesses — the heart and soul of this town — are struggling to stay open during what was meant to be a positive revitalization project.

For months, major access points into the downtown district have been closed or heavily obstructed due to ongoing road construction. While we support the long-term goals of these improvements, the short-term consequences have been deeply damaging. Many businesses are reporting losses of 30–50% or more, and some may not survive the summer.

As the owner of Hilltop’s Creekside Café — the new downtown location of the original Hilltop Café, which proudly served Buchanan for over 30 years — I’ve seen firsthand how this project has turned our busiest season into a fight to survive. Despite sending updated directions to our customers and doing everything we can to adapt, access to the café changes frequently with little to no notice.

We’ve raised these concerns with local leadership, but so far, no meaningful action has been taken to stabilize access or provide financial relief.

We are urgently asking city and state leaders for:

• A reassessment of the construction timeline and staging to ensure access to business zones is maintained
• Emergency relief funding or grants for businesses suffering significant financial losses
• Improved communication and coordination between city planners, contractors, and affected businesses
• Timely and visible wayfinding and detour signage
• City-funded marketing and awareness campaigns to bring customers back
• A post-project recovery plan, including grand re-openings and storefront grant opportunities

This revitalization project was intended to bring growth to Buchanan. However, unless steps are taken quickly, it could cost the community the very businesses that have defined and supported it for decades. I’ve also included photos that document the current state of access downtown.

Thank you for your time and for supporting Buchanan’s small business community.

Sincerely,

Dion Bouzas
Owner, Hilltop’s Creekside Café

223 E Front St

Buchanan, MI 49107

(269) 470-0222