News photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Tuesday, Target Alpena Executive Director Lenny Avery gave a presentation at the Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) monthly meeting. Avery discussed plans to potentially expand Water Street Commons if Target and the DDA are approved for the funding. DDA and Target hope to expand Water Street Commons in 2026

ALPENA — In partnership with Target Alpena, the Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) hopes to expand the Water Street Commons by adding up to eight new sheds to the property, according to Anne Gentry, DDA executive director.

On Tuesday, Gentry told DDA board members that she has been working with Lenny Avery, Target Alpena executive director, to request funding from the Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) that exists within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

According to MEDC, the SBSH program received approval by the Michigan Strategic Fund in June 2023 to create and operate programs to support small businesses disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

According to Gentry, the DDA and Target Alpena requested funding from Target’s SBSH grant and MEDC is currently reviewing whether or not adding additional structures is an “allowable expense” per grant guidelines.

Gentry explained that if the additional sheds are added, Target Alpena would own them in accordance with the grant requirements. DDA would lease the sheds out and collect the rent for the duration of the grant, which is through the end of September 2026.

If Target and the DDA are approved for the addition, Avery said that the goal would be to have the additional sheds installed before Memorial Day weekend.

Once the grant period has concluded, Gentry explained that DDA would have to work out an agreement with Target to continue leasing the buildings to businesses.

“So this is something that we’re just waiting to hear back from the MEDC, is that if this is an allowable expense for Target underneath that grant,” Gentry said.

Gentry added that the MEDC has already reviewed and started discussing DDA’s additional goals for the Water Street Commons location if funding is not approved for the expansion.

Avery explained that if Target and DDA are approved for the additional sheds, then both entities will have to work on an agreement with the city to facilitate elements of the construction that would not be covered by the grant money. Avery said that this would include procuring gravel or site prep, for example.

“Only the procurement and the installation of the kiosks, we believe, will be an available or acceptable use of the grant funds,” he said. “So there are some things that would have to be worked out.”

Avery said that partners involved with the construction will have to figure out how they will run power to the added sheds since the grant would not cover that utility expense.

“So if there are other ancillary things that we can do to work with our community partners to get these things added … I mean, this is a $246,000 addition to the site,” he said.

Avery noted a developer has approached Target and DDA with interest in the site.

“There are some other different things that have kof of brought some attention to that particular site,” Avery added. “I only can deal with what’s in front of me right now, and what’s in front of me right now is a great opportunity to add eight additional kiosks to that particular site.”

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.