News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Mike Flaugher, left, and Kevin Steinke do some work on the new stage at Culligan Plaza on Monday. The new plaza is expected to be complete before the holiday season.

ALPENA — Both the new restrooms at Bay View Park and the new Culligan Plaza should be complete before winter arrives, City of Alpena Engineer Steve Shultz said.

A large portion of the cost of the two projects were funded with state grants, private donations, and some matching funds from the city.

The City of Alpena received a $300,000 Michigan Natural Trust Fund grant to use toward the new restrooms, which will be built near the Kiwanis Kiddie Park and the bandshell. The new restroom facility will also have a pavilion, new walkways, and lighting.

The city received a nearly $1 million Community Development Block Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to use toward the projected $1.2 million cost of the renovation of the plaza and a new restroom facility near it.

In order to receive the grant, the city agreed to pay a 10% cash match of $118,555. A $20,000 grant from the Alpena County Youth and Recreation Committee was added to the pot. A $100,000 donation was also made from the First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation.

On Monday, the Alpena Municipal Council voted to approve the submission request seeking an extension on the grant because it has taken longer for the rest rooms to be built. Although the project will be done soon, the extension was needed so the state’s reimbursement to the city goes more smoothly.

Shultz said there is work being done at Bay View now, and it will accelerate. He said the facility should be open before snow flies and some cosmetic work will need to be completed in the spring.

“It looks like we will have the structure built and operating for the winter and then we’ll do the landscaping, put out the picnic tables, and other things next year,” he said.

It took a while for the plaza project downtown to begin, but over the last several weeks, certain aspects of the new fountain design are becoming noticeable. The new stage and the attached ramp have taken form and the new sidewalks on Chisholm Street near the plaza have also been installed. The new downtown restroom, which is located near the Alpena Downtown Development Authority office, is erected and the changes to the parking lot are underway. Shultz said over the next two weeks, people will be able to see more of the features of the plaza come to life.

“The flat-concrete work will begin this week and in a couple of weeks you’ll really begin to see it take shape,” he said. “By the end of next week, a lot of things are going to pop up down there.”

Shultz said he is confident the plaza will be done and the annual Christmas tree will be on display.

When completed, the new plaza, which will retain its name, will include a performance stage, a fire feature, and a rolling river with miniature waterfalls. It will also contain many trees and flowers and features made from concrete, rock, and brick out of respect for Alpena’s history.

The new plaza will also comply with the Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA), ensuring accessibility for all residents.

Shultz told the News earlier this year the renovation of the plaza was badly needed because there were unseen issues with the plumbing underneath the concrete and because it is not very accessible to people with disabilities. He said if the condition of the plaza was not addressed, its condition would continue to deteriorate.

Mayor Cindy Johnson said utilizing grant funding for local projects is important to making sure parks, streets, water and sewer infrastructure remain up to date.

“Leveraging grant dollars allows us to complete critical infrastructure projects while maximizing the impact of our city funds, delivering results at a fraction of the cost,” Johnson said. “These grants not only support public improvements but also help local businesses implement sustainable initiatives that create jobs and strengthen our economy. By enhancing our appeal to both tourists and potential residents, we invest in Alpena’s long-term vitality. This funding exists for communities like ours, and it would be shortsighted not to pursue these opportunities for the benefit of the City of Alpena and its residents.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.