Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

BUCHANAN — The Buchanan City Hall has been in the local spotlight in recent months. 

The city has been in focus since early November when former city manager Ben Eldridge was put on paid suspension pending an investigation of 42 grievances/complaints against him before eventually resigning. 

Mayor Sean Denison said that addressing the city’s infrastructure with reduced state revenue sharing has made the city’s financial situation challenging. Following the resignation of Eldridge, recall wording has been filed against both Denison and Buchanan Commissioner Dan Vigansky. Even so, Denison and city workers remain committed to improving the city on all fronts.

“We’re all on the same page,” he said. “The sad part is that there are only a handful of people who are making trouble in our community and it has given our community a black eye. We’re all committed to keep doing what we’re doing, which is to try to do the right thing and spend our tax money as wisely as we can. If we do that, things are going to turn out fine… things aren’t as crazy as they seem. We have a committed group of people who work at city hall committed to doing what is right and doing their best for the citizens of Buchanan.”

The city’s financial state led to rumors regarding its future. Claims of a possible state takeover of the City of Buchanan are not true, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Department of Treasury spokesman Ron Leix confirmed to reporters last week that there are no plans to take over the city in the future and that Buchanan “is in good standing” with the treasury.

In a Nov. 17 letter to the Buchanan community, Mayor Sean Denison addressed issues regarding rumors of a possible state takeover of the city, stating that those rumors were not true.

“I knew (the claims) were not true,” Denison said. “It makes you feel better seeing it in print. There’s been a lot of hearsay and misinformation out there.”

The city has hired Tim Lynch to serve as city manager. Lynch, who recently retired from his manager position at the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph Wastewater Treatment Plant, served as Buchanan’s interim manager from March to mid-May.

“He is very professional and is well-regarded by city staff and administration,” Denison said. “He has the experience and sophistication to be able to run the city. I have no doubt that he’s going to do a great job.”

Denison added that the contract is a one-year contract that can be renewed.

“We’re lucky that he has come back and is willing to stay here. I think that is going to give the city some stability and we’re looking forward to keeping the momentum moving and doing good things for the city.”

Looking back on 2023, ahead to 2024

While 2023 had its challenges, Buchanan city officials are looking forward to continuing the business growth and city projects of the past year to create a robust 2024.

Denison said Buchanan experienced several accomplishments in 2023 and expects many of them to carry on into 2024. He reeled off a list of significant developments from this past year, including the completion of its Victory Park renovation project, the opening of several new businesses such as Glendora Bookshop, restaurants Fifteen-2-Twelve and Fork In The Road, as well as the Hometown & Co. small business incubator.

“Our downtown is really growing,” Denison said. “We’re seeing a lot of business investment. The Hometown Video Store building has been revitalized. It has four great businesses. The reaction from the community has been wonderful. It’s been fun to watch that historic building come to life.”

Denison added that the city’s Summer Concert Series and the inaugural Munchie Mondays series were hits with people from the Buchanan community and beyond.

“Munchie Mondays was actually a huge thing last summer that enabled the small business incubator to take root,” he said. “We had thousands of people come down and eat at the food trucks this summer. We had a great concert series at the Common this year.”

What to look for in 2024:

• Hilltop Cafe will be reopening in a new location in downtown Buchanan, with a Taco Bell location opening in the former Hilltop Cafe building. 
• The Michigan Gateway Community Foundation is in the process of purchasing the historic Ross-Sanders home to serve as its new location. 
• Popular bakery Gustavsen Cafe purchased a city-owned parcel of land right next to it with plans to expand the bakery.

Denison added that the city will begin both its McCoy Creek Trail expansion project as well as its downtown infrastructure project.

“There’s a ton of great things happening that are unfortunately being drowned out by a handful of people,” Denison said.