Building’s future to be known

Alpena Municipal Council members will discuss and likely decide which direction it will take regarding the Alpena Civic and Convention Center on Monday.

The discussion was originally scheduled for Aug. 4, but Mayor Carol Shafto requested it be moved up to Monday, stating the council had adequate information to discuss the issue.

"We feel we have information we need to make a decision," Shafto said.

The question is whether to fix the current building, which would cost over $2.9 million, or move the civic center to the old Armory building. That building also needs repairs and updating, which would cost over $3.5 million.

During a special council meeting on June 30 to discuss the topic, council members heard from citizens for and against moving the civic center.

Parking, cost and the proximity to a hotel were the major concerns of those who spoke against the move. Economic revitalization and historic preservation were points made by those in favor of the move.

The council ultimately put off a decision to get more information, including information on potential tax credits for moving the center to the Armory.

Alpena Memorial Hall, LLC, the group that owns the Armory, has said the project would qualify for federal historic credits, brownfield/obsolete credits, new markets tax credits and state historic credits totaling nearly $1.7 million.

It also said if the current civic center is sold, that revenue could go toward the Armory and further reduce costs.

The group has received endorsements from several organizations, including the Downtown Development Authority, and states the move to the Armory would bring activity and money to downtown.

Critics of the move had said the current civic center could vastly improve its infrastructure with $1 million, and the $2.9 million would cover everything needed - but isn't necessary right now. They also have noted it may be difficult to sell the current civic center.

Assistant City Manager Eric Cline said the council likely will decide which building will serve as the civic center, but further discussion on how repairs will be funded and what exactly would be done to the building will take place during later meetings.

"The council will be deciding if they are going to back the Memorial Hall proposal or the civic center proposal," Cline said.

Jim Makowske of Memorial Hall, LLC said the meeting Monday is only step one, regardless of which building is chosen because funding for repairs may be difficult to come by. That funding likely would come from a millage.

"It is still our firm belief that the community, the downtown and the taxpayers at large will be much better off with the money spent at Memorial Hall," Makowske said. "It may be a moot point if we can't get a millage passed."

Sean Harkins can be reached via e-mail at sharkins@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.