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Virus shutdown delays major projects

News Photo by Crystal Nelson Construction of the Northland Area Federal Credit Union headquarters building, pictured here on Tuesday, has been temporarily suspended under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s March 23 order ceasing all but essential business.

ALPENA – Many construction projects in the region have been suspended under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s March 23 executive order aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

The executive order ceasing all but essential businesses allows some construction projects to continue, such as road or bridge maintenance and infrastructure for telecommunications or public health.

Construction workers are also allowed to undertake projects needed to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operations of a residence during the shutdown.

As of Tuesday, there were still no confirmed coronavirus cases in Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency or Presque Isle counties. Statewide, 7,615 cases and 259 deaths have been reported.

In Alpena, Whitmer’s order has suspended work on the Northland Area Federal Credit Union headquarters building and the new Alpena County Jail, while renovation of Alpena Community College’s Van Lare Hall continues.

The NAFCU project was expected to wrap up in June, according to spokesman Matt Duthler.

“While it may be Northland’s goal to complete the project soon, that goal is entirely dependent on the progression of the pandemic and its effect on the entire community,” NAFCU CEO Pete Dzuris said in an email to The News. “Right now we cannot project a completion date as the pandemic duration is not known.”

While company officials “will do everything reasonable” to complete the building, they are equally concerned for the health and safety of their employees, members, the community, and business partners, Dzuris said.

Alpena County Commissioner Bill Peterson recently told The News Whitmer’s shutdown will push the jail construction back. Peterson is confident the project will rebound in time.

Meanwhile, the $8.7 million renovation at ACC’s Van Lare Hall continues. The renovation will create a center for health sciences and space for the college’s nursing program to relocate to Van Lare Hall from the second floor of the college’s Natural Resources Center.

ACC President Don MacMaster said college officials approached the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget to have the renovation deemed an essential infrastructure project.

“The premise of the project is to expand the nursing program – it’s called The Center for Health Sciences – so it really fits with the urgencies of today,” MacMaster said. “So they allowed us to move ahead and we are moving ahead.”

MacMaster said the brief delay in getting approval as an essential infrastructure project will probably extend the timeline of completion, although that’s “yet to be seen.”

“We had hoped to be in the building and ready to roll by the end of this calendar year and we haven’t given up hope on that, yet,” he said.

Spence Brothers Construction is overseeing the project. The firm also oversaw construction of the recently completed new terminal at the Alpena County Regional Airport.

Construction was recently completed at Besser Senior Living Community, which opened to the public Feb. 20.

The senior facility’s Julie Kelly said the shutdown was an “unplanned curve” into the business’ opening. The executive order hasn’t stopped people from moving into the senior living community but has meant staff can’t host in-person tours, events, luncheons, or programs.

“When people call to inquire about residency, we have to do virtual tours,” Kelly said. “We’re still open for admissions, but it hasn’t been the typical opening that we hoped for.”

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.

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