News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena County Administrator Mary Catherine Hannah writes a suggested project for the Alpena County Fairgrounds during a Facilities, Capital and Strategic Planning Committee on Wednesday. The county is working on a capital improvement plan that will list projects for all of the county's facilities by priority.

ALPENA — The list of needed maintenance, repairs, and equipment replacement at Alpena County-owned facilities continues to grow.

The laundry list of projects at buildings like Northern Lights Arena, the Plaza Pool, fairgrounds, and courthouse will be sorted through and added to the capital improvement plan, which the commissioners are currently working on.

The county is also considering having a facility-use study done to learn more about the needs and potential uses for each of its buildings and how much potential improvements to them could cost.

At Wednesday’s Facilities, Capital and Strategic Planning Committee meeting, the commissioners suggested projects, and County Administrator Mary Catherine Hannah listed them on a large tablet of paper on an easel.

Some of the projects for the fairgrounds include an investment for renovations to grandstands, restrooms, and a shower facility, as well as the Merchants building and Wi-Fi for the campsites.

Proposed ideas for the pool include improvements to the locker rooms and new equipment in the utility room.

A new roof, Zamboni, and a backup generator were listed for the arena.

The CIP will list projects by priority and need, so some of the projects may not be needed for several years. Having funding to pay for the projects can also determine where a project is slotted into the CIP.

During the meeting, the commissioners on the committee discussed the warrants of having a facility use study done and how the county could benefit from having one done.

Hannah said the last time one of the studies was done was about 20 years ago.

“The study would look at our buildings and see what they are used for, are they fit for purpose, do they have the things that they need, or are their better uses for them,” Hannah said. “Then when we start looking at dollars and cents for the things we need to make those buildings work, we’ll see if it is worth it to invest in one of the older buildings, or build a new one.”

Hannah said, if done, the study will show what the direction the county should take in caring for its facilities and then the next step would be implementing the recommendations.

As the CIP takes shape, the commissioners will rely on opinions, concerns, and ideas from residents to complete it. Hannah said including the public in the decision making process is important.

“Public input is hugely important,” she said. “Once we get further down the road we will start planning how to engage with the public, seek input, and how we implement that into the planning process.”

Alpena County Animal Control Officer Michelle Reid was scheduled to reveal a plan to the committee on how to renovate the old jail and make it into an animal shelter. The presentation was delayed as Reid will give it to the Courts and Public Safety Committee today at 4 p.m.

She will share her plan with the Facilities, Capital and Strategic Planning Committee at its next meeting.