ALPENA — The Alpena Downtown Development Authority is getting closer to finalizing a plan that could replace dated Christmas decorations used downtown. If things go smoothly, some or all of the new holiday decorations could be in place this year.

According to DDA Executive Director Anne Gentry, the topic is going to be brought up at a design committee meeting next week and details on what type of decorations to purchase, how the project will be implemented and how money will be raised to pay for them. A recommendation then will be made to the DDA board for final approval.

“We want to get input on what styles we should get to hang and see what the city would like to see,” she said. “I’ve received a few quotes from different companies, including Bronner’s, and gotten some ideas for different options we have. We will eventually bring up some sample decorations and we will be able to get a better idea of what we might want.”

Gentry said there are 25 tall lamp posts in the downtown, as well as the shorter decorative lamps that line the sidewalks.

Gentry said the DDA has budgeted $20,000 toward the new decorations, which could cost as much as $80,000 if there are new decorations purchased and the current artificial wreaths are refurbished. She said using live greens each year also could be an option and a way to lower costs.

“We are talking to the city and different merchants to see what they would like We also need to work with the city to see how to hang them. If we were to get the old ones refurbished, it would cost between $20,000 and $40,000,” she said.

Gentry said with the money budgeted it is possible a portion of the decorations are purchased this year and used to the holidays and then more could be bought next year after more money was raised. She said ideas such as using crowdfunding sources will be needed to raise the money.

Making downtown look at festive as possible could have an economic impact as well, Gentry said. She said there always are a lot of people who come downtown for the holiday parade and to Christmas shop and by having the area decorated it could make it more welcoming for others.

“We really want to see our downtown decorated beautifully and we want to be something special,” Gentry said. “Hopefully the people will get behind it and see what a difference it makes during the winter months. It would be good for tourists too. It just creates a special feeling for that time of year.”

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