News File Photo The Alpena Downtown Development Authority headquarters is seen in this photo.

ALPENA — The Alpena Downtown Development Authority considers the ideas and concerns of local youths to be important to the future success of the downtown.

In the coming weeks, the DDA will add a high school student to the board, which will help the older members on the board gain a younger perspective. In return, the student member will learn more about local government meetings and the importance of making decisions that impact many.

Anne Gentry, executive director of the DDA, said the City of Alpena was approached by the non-profit organization Government for Tomorrow to gauge interest in adding a student on a local city board.

The students will not have voting power however, Gentry said.

Gentry said City Manager Rachel Smolinski directed the group to the DDA to get the ball rolling. Gentry and Government for Tomorrow have been conducting interviews to find the new appointee.

“To us it just made sense to have the DDA be a place for them to start,” Gentry said. “From the board’s perspective it’s great to get a younger perspective. There are a lot of youth in our community and we want to engage them. We want to have projects that make them want to be downtown. Having a different perspective from a younger person is really important.”

Working with the Government for Tomorrow, the DDA and Alpena High School began outreach for prospective candidates before the holidays. The program was shared with students while they were in class. Gentry said eight applications came from students, which she believes was a good number for feedback and interest.

The interview process is ongoing, and, once the right person is found, the candidate will be introduced to the DDA board during an open meeting.

“Within a month, we should know and then the board may want to ask some questions and get to know them a little better,” Gentry said. “I know the board will want to know more about who will be having a seat.”

After the interview the board will vote to make a recommendation to the Alpena Municipal Council that would approve the appointment.