GOVERNOR AWARDS GRANT MONEY, HISTORIC AWARDS TO BUCHANAN & NILES

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
BUCHANAN, MI – Buchanan’s $19.4 million downtown infrastructure project got a big boost last week as the state of Michigan announced winners of the Revitalization and Placemaking Program grants. Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) awarded the city $1 million for the project. A total of $25 million was awarded to communities around the state this year.
“Today’s grants underscore our commitment to the state’s Make It in Michigan economic development strategy, supporting the People, Places, and Projects that are integral to the growth of Michigan’s economy,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a press release announcing the grant awards.
“These investments will help create vibrant places that attract and retain talent, add critical housing, enable business creation and attraction, and provide resources for Michiganders and our communities. I will work with anyone and do anything to continue getting things done for our state,” she added.
Commissioners applied for the grant in late January of this year. The city had already received grants and loans to cover most of the infrastructure project but had been anticipating a $2 million shortfall. Buchanan City Manager Tony McGhee said city officials were happy to hear the news that the city will be getting the RAP grant. “It gives the city greater flexibility and strengthens our overall financing strategy,” McGhee said.
The RAP program provides access to gap financing for place-based infrastructure development, real estate rehabilitation and development, and public space improvements. “The MEDC is proud to celebrate the places that make our state great and excited to see the impact these RAP grants have on our communities,” MEDC Chief Place Officer Michele Wildman said. Eligible applicants are individuals or entities working to rehabilitate vacant, underutilized, blighted and historic structures and the development of permanent place-based infrastructure associated with traditional downtowns, social-zones, outdoor dining and placed-based public spaces.
Buchanan Mayor Mark Weedon reminded residents about the purpose for the project. “The new streetscape and public amenities will create space for community engagement with functional improvements that beautify the space and provide opportunities for flexibility of community and business use,” he said. The new streetscapes will offer a total of over 50,000 sq. ft. of enhanced sense of place within the community. The area will be transformed with widened sidewalks, new amenities, community branding and a new “living streets” concept that will be a centerpiece of the project and will focus on community engagement and flexibility in the use of public space.
In other news, Gov. Whitmer also announced that two Niles projects are receiving Governor’s Awards for Historic Preservation: the Chapin Mansion in downtown Niles and the ongoing Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project.
The Chapin Mansion was built by the Chapin family in 1884 and was home to Niles City Hall for nearly 80 years until 2012. It now houses the Niles History Center. More than $1.5 million has been invested into the repair and rehabilitation of the building since the history center occupied the space.
The site of historic Fort St. Joseph on the banks of the St. Joseph River near downtown Niles was rediscovered in 1998 by a team led by Western Michigan University researchers. Archaeological digs have been done at the site nearly every year since then.
Now in their 22nd year, the Governor’s Awards for Historic Preservation celebrate outstanding historic preservation achievements. The awards are given annually during National Historic Preservation Month. The State Historic Preservation Office established the tradition to honor achievements that demonstrate a commitment to the preservation of Michigan’s unique character.