The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is no longer considering a resolution asking the Michigan Department of Transportation to change its plan for the reconstruction of Main Street in St. Joseph in 2027.

We reported last week that commissioners were thinking about asking MDOT to preserve 34 parking spaces on Main that are slated to be removed. They were also going to ask that the left turn lane from Main on to Pearl Street not be removed, that broadband conduit be laid between county buildings, and that 24/7 access be maintained for the jail. However, at this week’s meeting, that resolution was removed from the agenda.

County Administrator Brian Dissette told us in-person meetings are now planned between MDOT and commissioners.

“Commissioner Curran and Commissioner Volrath are going to connect with our staff next week and then after that they will then work with me to get time scheduled to meet with MDOT,” Dissette said.

Staff with the Berrien County Road Department will also be in those meetings. Dissette said he believes the parking, broadband, and jail requests aren’t on the agenda.

“It’s my impression that those three items have fallen off the commissioners’ radar with Pearl Street being their primary concern.”

Dissette said the county is currently making plans for enhancements to the County Administration Building’s main entrance, which is off of Pearl. If MDOT removes the left turn lane, then visitors making a left turn to the building would have to turn on Park Street, on the opposite end of it. County leaders will now discuss that with MDOT directly.