News Photo by Torianna Marasco The Hampton Inn and Suites is seen on Sunday. The hotel, located on M-32, recently opened and is hosting guests. It is one of many economic development projects in the area.

ALPENA — Despite the recent closures of Big Lots and JOANN Fabric and Crafts, there is a host of economic development projects that are about to wrap up or are coming down the pipeline.

Also, local economic development officials say the tariffs instituted by President Donald Trump have thus far had no bearing on interest from potential developers and projects being proposed for the area.

On Friday, Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Director Mike Mahler offered an update on development projects in Alpena. He said some of the projects that have been ongoing are not complete, while others are still in motion or in the exploratory talks phase.

Mahler said so far, none of the developers he has worked with seem concerned about tariffs interfering with future goals and projects.

“I have not heard a single comment about the tariffs or about future development at all,” he said. “I can say it doesn’t seem to be a part of the calculus at all yet.”

DPI

Mahler said he and some members of the city staff met with the new owner of the former Decorative Panels International, Melching Inc., a Norton Shores company, seeking an update on its plans for the old plant. Melching purchased the plant in January and has said it intends to demo and prepare the property for future development. It is still unknown if Melching will develop the land itself or sell it to other interested parties.

Mahler said either way, the demolition work should be done in less than two years and then, hopefully, a new use will be found for the lakeside property.

“I was part of a meeting with city staff and the buyer of DPI and their environmental consultant two weeks ago, and they are planning to begin the asbestos removal process in the next week or two,” Mahler said. “Shortly after, they intend on beginning demolition of the plant itself. They have indicated there has been considerable interest from developers and they expect the site will be fully cleaned up, backfilled, and shovel-ready for development within 18 months.”

HAMPTON INN AND SUITES

The announcement about the new Hampton Inn and Suites hotel came in 2022, and is now officially open. The new 101-room hotel, which features all of the modern amenities people look for, was constructed on M-32, a stone’s throw away from the new Aldi grocery store. Mahler said Alpena has needed more hotel rooms, as well as meeting and convention space for years, and the Hampton will help ease some of that, especially when large events are scheduled.

“I had the opportunity to tour the new hotel (last) week, the day before it was set to open, and it looks great inside and out,” Mahler said. “These new rooms will be great for the community with the events occurring this summer, such as the International ROV competition in June. Several years ago, when it was held here, some of the competitors had to book lodging as far away as Gaylord. Having this new hotel will be a welcome addition to the community and the growing number of visitors.”

PACE

The final preparations for the new Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) facility in the former Peebles store on U.S.-23 South are ongoing, and it could open in the next several months.

PACE is an adult day center with a broad array of services for its participants. Those services can range from more recreational, like providing a dining space, hosting programs and activities, and assisting with laundry and bathing, to more clinical in nature, like providing exam rooms for medical checkups, offering different kinds of therapies such as physical or speech, and Medicare/Medicaid services.

PACE provides those services and others with the goal of providing all the care elders need while still allowing them to live at home.

Mahler said he has also been inside the new facility and was impressed with it and what it will provide seniors in the Alpena area.

“I had the chance to visit the new PACE location, and it is nearly complete,” he said. “The final inspection is set for mid-May, and then it will be at least 90 days or until it receives government approval. The place looks fabulous, and the 17,000-square-foot facility will hopefully breathe life into that shopping center.”

BIG LOTS/JOANN FABRIC

Both of the primary retail stores in the U.S.-23 South corridor closed this year, but Mahler said he believes the presence of PACE could spark some interest in the former Big Lots and JOANN Fabric and Crafts locations. He said it may be new stores or small medical clinics that offer health care services, but either way, filling the old stores is key to continued growth on the southside of Alpena.

“There is a lot of space with the old Big Lots and JOANNs, and there is interest in them, I’m being told,” Mahler said. “Maybe for one or for both, but maybe we can find some new tenants that can breathe some new life into the plaza.”

GARDENS OF ALPENA

The proposed $47 million senior living facility on U.S.-23 South, called The Gardens of Alpena Senior Living Community, will provide 128 apartments in two structures, as well as a host of amenities and recreational offerings. To run the facility, about 100 staff would be needed, which could also boost the area’s employment numbers.

Mahler said the project will commence soon with the clearing of trees on Hemlock Lane, after the developer receives its survey for the road extension needed for the 10-acre project that will cost about $48 million to build. Once the apartments are filled, it is expected to loosen up the local housing market as more homes become available to purchase.

Mahler said there are projects and others that are in the works, touching all areas of Alpena. He said the M-32 and U.S.-23 corridors will have improvements, as will the downtown, which DPI is a short walk from.

“You will note that these commercial projects cover all parts of Alpena, which is really encouraging,” he said. “All corners of the community are seeing improvement. This is certainly a step in the right direction.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.