While the Michigan Department of Transportation prepares to rebuild Main Street in downtown St. Joseph in 2027, the city of St. Joseph isn’t the only interested local party.

Speaking to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners Thursday, County Administrator Brian Dissette said he and other county leaders have been attending MDOT’s open houses to stay abreast of the plans. He said the project will be big.

“This is going to impact county,” Dissette said. “It’s a big project, and it’s one that this building, Equalization, the court, and most importantly, the jail are all going to be impacted.”

Dissette said county operations can’t be restricted by the project.

“It’s a big project. It’ll be great when it’s done. It’s just a matter of ensuring that you can get in and out of these buildings on a day-to-day basis.”

Dissette said he’s working to put together a presentation for commissioners at their Committee of the Whole meeting next week.

MDOT will rebuild Main Street downtown in 2027 with plans to shift traffic and improve pedestrian access. The plan still isn’t finalized, but the work will happen in 2027 and will result in total closures of different sections of Main Street at various points for about a year.