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BUCHANAN — Buchanan City Commissioners took action in support of the McCollum Livery project Monday night and heard about other businesses thinking about participating in the downtown social district program.

     Meanwhile, commissioners postponed a vote on the replacement of the Front Street retaining wall that has been in disrepair for a number of years. The vote to postpone came after only two bids were received for the project and the company that would commit to finishing the work by Dec. 20 was the high bidder.

     Commissioners debated possible options and City Manager Tim Lynch said he would investigate further and bring back a recommendation at the commission’s next meeting on Nov. 12. Other action at that meeting will include selecting city manager candidates to interview. The Nov. 12 meeting is on a Tuesday due to Nov. 11 being Veterans Day.

It will also be the first meeting with commissioners elected on Nov. 5. Six people are running for two commission seats. Incumbents Larry Money and Patrick Swem are facing off with Tony Houser, Lorilie Holmes, Scott King and Angela Lowery. King is running as a write-in candidate.

     One option suggested by Mayor Mark Weedon would have steel pilings put in to shore up the retaining wall area and placing a mural along the side facing the street. The retaining wall that has crumbled is across the street from the American Legion and Weedon suggested a mural that would honor veterans and first responders.

     The city has budgeted $350,000 to fix the Front Street retaining wall as well as another $1.1 million to fix the Days Avenue sinkhole that appeared earlier this year.

     Community Development Director Rich Murphy gave an update on not only the McCollum Livery project but also other businesses interested in participating in the downtown social district. With the Livery project, commissioners, with Swem abstaining because of a business interest, approved a resolution in support of the state granting a social district license to the developer.

     Murphy told commissioners to expect more businesses to apply for social district liquor licenses. He said McCoy’s Creek Tavern and Thistledown and Row both are pursuing social district liquor licenses at the state. The two businesses already have regular liquor licenses.

     Murphy hinted at another downtown project in the works. While he wouldn’t divulge details, he said another business is looking to apply for a redevelopment liquor license. The downtown area has been designated as a redevelopment district which allows the city to have more liquor licenses.

     He called the social district and the addition of more social district liquor licenses will elevate the downtown experience for visitors. He said the state has been offering social district liquor licenses for three years and the track record is now out there showing that social districts don’t bring more problems.

     Murphy also discussed two other projects. The riverfront kayak launch project is moving forward with the commission’s formal acceptance of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant awarded for the project earlier this year. The city is getting $229,400 from the state and matching it with $80,600 raised from local donations.

     Murphy said the city is working with Abonmarche on the design of the project in order to go out for bids. He said ground will be broken in the spring.

     The other project discussed was the demolition of the Buchanan Feed Mill and Baroda Tire properties. He said bids are being sought for the different parts of the project and he hopes that the city will be able to tap into county funds to pay for all of the demolition work. Estimates earlier this year put the cost at $250,000.

     Monday’s meeting also featured discussion of Election Day, another upcoming meeting, the chances of getting a drug store in town after Rite Aid closed and a local business’s effort to help hurricane relief efforts in North Carolina and surrounding states.

     City Clerk Kalla Langston said early voting has been strong so far at the Niles courthouse with 800 people a day taking advantage of early voting.

     Besides the next commission meeting being a day later because of Veterans Day, the commission will hold a strategic planning workshop to talk about the budget and other issues on Nov. 13 at 9 a.m.

     Commissioner Dan Vigansky answered a query from the public about the chances of getting another drug store. He said that big chains like Walgreens aren’t interested in coming to Buchanan and that independent pharmacists want space and amenities that aren’t necessarily available.

     Money talked about the efforts by McBain’s Lane to organize the community to gather supplies for hurricane victims. He said many community members donated including the Buchanan Fire Department who donated expired gear.