News Photo by Steve Schulwitz This former bank in downtown Alpena will be the new home of the Bay Athletic Club and Thunder Bay Community Health Service next year. Renovations are already under way.

LANSING – On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced Alpena was one of two communities in the state to receive support for redevelopment projects via the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program.

Alpena received $904,000 from the MEDC that will help pay for a portion of the renovations needed on the former bank on Chisholm Street in downtown Alpena.

The former bank was acquired by Thunder Bay Community Health Service, who received the grant and will utilize a portion of the facility. The Bay Athletic Club will move into the balance of the building to offer its services. Bay Athletic said it will work with TBCHS to expand fitness and wellness across the region and offer its services in its new downtown location.

The new Bay Athletic Club is expected to open in early 2026, owner Trina Gray told The News late last year.

Whitmer said projects like the one Alpena, as well as Hamtramck which also received funding, fits the state’s goals for business and job growth.

“Support for these projects in Hamtramck and Alpena underscores our commitment to our ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy’s focus on the people, places, and projects that are integral to growing Michigan’s economy,” Whitmer said in a press release. “Programs like RAP help to create vibrant places that attract and retain talent, add new housing options, enable business creation and attraction, and provide resources for our Michigan communities. Let’s keep working together to get things done for our state.”

The MEDC also applauded the projects and what they will mean to the communities they open in.

“On behalf of the MEDC, we are pleased to work with communities across Michigan and invest in their resilience through the RAP program as part of our placemaking efforts in support of the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy,” said the MEDC’s SVP of Community Planning and Development Readiness Michele Wildman. “We look forward to seeing how these projects bring new opportunities for Downtown Hamtramck and Downtown Alpena.”

Whitmer said the vacant former bank building located at 200 W. Chisholm will be redeveloped into two commercial spaces, strengthening the vibrancy of downtown by enhancing walkability and diversifying retail offerings. Supported by the RAP grant funding, the redevelopment project will bring a total anticipated capital investment of $3,180,572 and welcome new tenants Bay Athletic Club and Thunder Bay Community Health Service, Inc.

Thunder Bay Community Health Service, Inc. has extensive experience in development, with multiple construction, renovation, and expansion projects across Northern Michigan. Since 2009, the organization has built or expanded several school-based health centers in Onaway, Cheboygan, Rogers City, Inland Lakes, Mio, and Johannesburg/Lewiston school districts, along with major upgrades to its Atlanta and Fairview health centers.

“Thunder Bay Community Health Service extends its sincere gratitude to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Alpena Downtown Development Authority, Target Alpena, City of Alpena, Alpena Chamber of Commerce, and Bay Athletic Club for their invaluable contributions to the revitalization of 200 W. Chisholm St in downtown Alpena,” said Richard Bates, MD, CEO of Thunder Bay Community Health Service. “The partnership with Bay Athletic Club in promoting fitness as a cornerstone of personal and community well-being has been particularly instrumental. The support from each of these esteemed organizations has been crucial in transforming this space and fostering a caring and inclusive environment. We are eager about the future our collaboration is shaping and look forward to continuing our impactful work together in Alpena and other Northeast Michigan Communities.”

The Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA), with additional RAP funding support from the MEDC, awarded Thunder Bay Community Health Service, Inc. a $110,663 façade grant, along with an additional $5,000 contribution from the DDA.

Alpena City Manager Rachel Smolinski said the renovation project and new tenants in the old bank will help continue to lure more people downtown.

“The revitalization of 200 West Chisholm Street represents another exciting step forward for downtown Alpena,” said Alpena City Manager Rachel Smolinski. “We’re thrilled to see the collective vision of Thunder Bay Community Health Service and Bay Fitness come to life; transforming a long-vacant property into a vibrant, active space that will attract people, support local businesses, and enhance the overall vitality of our community. We are grateful for MEDC’s investment through the Revitalization and Placemaking Program to help make this project possible.”

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