News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Left to right, Target Alpena Executive Director Jim Klarich, City Manager Greg Sundin, Planning and Development Director Adam Poll and Mayor Matt Waligora accept an award from MEDC Redevelopment Ready Director Michelle Parkkonen and Sarah Rainero for being certified as a Michigan Economic Development Corperation Redevelopment Ready Community.

ALPENA –After nearly three years of working to meet the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s lofty standards to become an MEDC Redevelopment Ready Community, the designation was awarded to City of Alpena officials Friday.

Representatives from the MEDC, the city, Target Alpena, Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, Alpena Downtown Authority and representatives for state and national politicians took part in a ceremony at the site of the former Alpena Power Company offices on the shore of the Thunder Bay River.

During the ceremony City Manager Greg Sundin talked about how instrumental the MEDC has been in helping to fund projects in the city. He said improvements to the Center Building, Scoops, Alpena Furniture, Owl Cafe and the demolition of the old Alpena Power building were made possible because of funding from it.

He said MEDC’s matching funds from a pair of Patronicty crowd funding campaigns also made the fish mural downtown and the new dog park a reality. Sundin said it also helped to cover the cost of having more than 25 new residential units made downtown.

“We see the Redevelopment Ready program as an extension of what we started and is something that will help us to continue this work downtown,” Sundin said. “MEDC has been instrumental and we appreciate all of the assistance.”

Being a Redevelopment ready community has benefits for the city, as the MEDC will market key property that is available and ready to be developed. Jim Klarich, Target Alpena executive director and chamber economic development director, explained how the relationship with the MEDC has helped to grow not only Alpena, but other municipalities in the area. He said there is a trickle down effect in terms of jobs, commerce and industry that begins in Alpena and works it way out from it.

“We are seeing a tremendous amount of investment and that is being made by people from the outside and some inside and there are a lot more projects queuing up right now,” Klarich said. “We aren’t looking for the region to carry us any longer. We are carrying the region because we are the economic hub for growth, jobs and services. The MEDC is a part of that and its tool box has been a vital component to back-up ad assist us.”

Alpena Planning and Development Director Adam Poll said the location selected for the event was significant because when development takes place on the river, it will become a large part of future growth downtown, just like the Holiday Inn Express was when it was built.

“This site is key to the redevelopment of the riverfront that started with the hotel,” Poll said. “This is our primary redevelopment site that is turn-key ready and we look forward to developing it in the future. It is one of our highest priorities.”

MEDC Redevelopment Ready Director Michelle Parkkonen said when the MEDC decides to support a project, or help pay for one, it does so only after knowing the money will be used wisely and the investment will lead to other development opportunities. She said Alpena is an example of MEDC funds being used well.

“This is a result of a team coming together to drive community development and the reason it supports projects in Alpena is because there is a strong vision,” Parkkonen said. “The community has supported these projects and indicated they are the type they want to see When we work with Alpena it is easy to get projects done. This is a testament to the city and a strong indicator that Alpena is open for business and ready for development.”

The property on the river is owned by Target, but a vision for the property already has been created. All involved have pledged that only a project that includes both residential and commercial components will be accepted on the riverfront site. Parkkonen said the site has huge potential and it will provide a large boost to the area when development happens on it.

“This is a prime redevelopment opportunity for mixed use,” Parkkonen said. “This is the kind of thing that draws talent to communities like Alpena.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz
Left to right, Target Alpena Executive Director Jim Klarich, City Manager Greg Sundin, Planning and Development Director Adam Poll and Mayor Matt Waligora accept an award from MEDC Redevelopment Ready Director Michelle Parkkonen and Sarah Rainero for being certified as a Michigan Economic Development Corperation Redevelopment Ready Community.