News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Tuesday, Anne Gentry, Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) executive director, is seen giving the DDA board updates regarding recent downtown events and future plans. The board discussed ways that youth can become involved with the DDA.

ALPENA — The Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) discussed ways to include high school students more often in DDA planning and events at it Tuesday meeting.

Anne Gentry, DDA executive director, told the board that its Government for Tomorrow high school student board seat was expiring in February.

The Government for Tomorrow is a national nonprofit, with a chapter in Alpena Public Schools, that helps cities and schools create student positions in local government and works with communities to develop advisory positions for high schoolers on municipal boards.

The board seat was originally given to Cassandra VanHorn in 2024.

Gentry suggested letting the seat expire and for the board to think of future ways that the DDA can collaborate with youth as past partnerships with youth have not “panned out” as to what was expected. Gentry cited scheduling and academic responsibilities as potential hindrances to students’ success in a board member role.

Rachel Smolinski, board member and City of Alpena city manager, said that the DDA doesn’t necessarily have to partner with an organization to make that partnership happen.

“You don’t really have to go through an organization to have representation,” Smolinski said. “I love the idea of this and I think everyone has, but we talked about this last year, it would be really nice to find someone who would want to be more involved.”

Smolinski noted that it is difficult for high school students to commit to attending board and committee meetings regularly due to academic responsibilities. Instead, she suggested offering a partnership in which a high school student, or students, work on a project that they can “call their own.”

“Although, it would be nice to see them when we can,” Smolinski added.

Gentry said that though partnerships with youth are a good thing, high school students sometimes need more guidance and management that the DDA might not have the bandwidth to accommodate at all times.

Melissa Tolan-Halleck, board member, said that she’d be interested in a partnership between the DDA and high school counselors, for example, so that counselors can work in partnership with the DDA to offer educational or project-based opportunities to students.

Smolinski suggested that having a “school liaison” would be beneficial for these connections. She added that working with the high school to allow for early dismissals will be important to allow students the time to participate in DDA events and planning.

Tolan-Halleck said that having the interest from students could also benefit DDA in that students can help with DDA events.

Smolinski noted that whatever the DDA decides on in the future in regards to high school student involvement, the board will also have to be considerate of curriculum requirements.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

— HPC Credit Union donated four new solo stoves to the DDA that the authority will use for DDA events.

— Gentry said that the Economic Development committee will meet next week to discuss the timeline for the Water Street Commons season in 2026 and any big investments the DDA wants to pursue.