Main Street project continues: Businesses scooping up Capac locations 

CAPAC — Despite a four-block section of downtown Capac being shut down for a major rebuild this summer, potential business owners from throughout the area are keeping an eye on the progress and have expressed interest in either buying a business in the downtown district or locating within a corridor that stretches from M-21 (Imlay City Road) to the I-69 freeway south of the village.

“It’s a super busy time here in town, with the major rebuild of Main Street,” said Village Manager Travis Youatt. “We currently have a load of contractors on site doing electrical and plumbing. ML Chartier continues to do their work as the general Contractor plus our DPW guys have been kept busy. It’s moving along pretty well. There have been a few hiccups, but that’s to be expected. Crews have started getting the street leveled to grade and all of the infrastructure for the storm sewer is complete.”

Youatt said there is still a one-block section of sanitary sewer to be installed, but aside from that, “it’s going pretty much as we expected.” 

“We are still looking at having the majority of the work done by the end of October or early November,” he said. “There will still be some landscaping and finishing touches to do, but for the most part, the street portion of the project should be open later in October.”

Youatt previously told TCT that the village was awarded $1.5 million in grants and will be borrowing another $1.5 million to cover the projected  costs. 

“We can pay that off over a period of time, up to 30 years,” he said. 

According to Youatt, the major complete rebuild of Main Street includes reworking the elevated sidewalks on both sides of the heavily traveled roadway and the removal of decaying concrete that has plagued the village’s four block stretch for years. In addition, new sidewalks, parking spaces, lighting and landscaping are also scheduled.

With the closure of the downtown area, many local businesses have felt the impact of the construction. Youatt said some have chosen to “take a break” during construction while others, such as the hardware store, have managed to survive with customers using a back entrance.

“We’ve spoken with all of the business owners and told them it’s important to us, and them, that we keep access to their buildings for as long as we can and the contractor knows that,” Youatt explained. “At some point, the front doors of the businesses will need to be closed up  for a short period, to allow for work to be done.”

Even during the construction project, Youatt reports several new business owners have contacted him about locating in the area of the village. 

“I don’t think we have any storefronts that haven’t been bought up now,” Youatt said. “We’ve got at least three new businesses coming to the area, including Cutting Edge Construction who has purchased a building in town.”

They have a location in Roseville and wanted to expand up this way. 

“We’re super excited to have them coming.” 

BombBurgers, based in Imlay City, is planning to open a restaurant in the former township hall and according to Youatt, M-53 trailer services, also located in Imlay City, is expanding to Capac.

“M-53 Trailer Service has bought 37 acres across from Fronny’s (south of town on Capac Rd) and they will be expanding their business,” Youatt reported. “The council and I felt strongly that once the street project got underway and once it is finished, businesses are going to notice how nice it is here and they are going to want to come here, and that’s exactly what’s happening.”

Earlier this year, site plans and final approval were given to a new Speedway gas station and a Red Roof Inn, both planning to locate in the general area of Taco Bell and Love’s gas station, near the I-69 corridor. 

Youatt said Speedway officials have pulled permits and are prepared to break ground in the coming months. Although approved, no permits have been pulled as of last week, for the new hotel.