Bureaucracies frustrate us.

One is holding up progress on a planned renovation of Culligan Plaza in downtown Alpena.

The renovations will construct a performance stage, a fire feature, and a rolling river with miniature waterfalls while also making needed repairs to plumbing and making the plaza accessible to those with disabilities. The new plaza also will contain many trees, flowers, and concrete, rock, and brick materials out of respect for Alpena’s history.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. committed nearly $1 million toward the projected $1.2 million cost of the renovations and the construction of a new nearby restroom facility. Alpena will pay $118,555, $20,000 will come from the Alpena County Youth and Recreation Committee, and $100,000 will come from the First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation.

So the money’s lined up and City Engineer Steve Shultz told News staff writer Steve Schulwitz for a recent story that the city has submitted all the necessary plans and paperwork to the state for final review.

Now, city officials just await the final go-ahead from the state.

Timing is crucial, here.

The city wants to start the work before Memorial Day and the kickoff of the busy tourism season, which often sees numerous pedestrians making their way around downtown Alpena and hanging out at the plaza.

As the state drags its feet, Shultz told Schulwitz the city may need to wait until the fall, after the busiest tourism season ends, or perhaps even wait until next year to initiate the project.

That’s frustrating.

We urge state officials to wrap up their final review and quickly give the city the green light it needs to get started so Culligan Plaza can be the great place it can be — accessible to all — as soon as possible.

The Viking Great Lakes cruise line already has made its first stop in Alpena, with about two dozen more planned throughout the remainder of spring and summer.

The tourism season already has begun, and the city needs to get to work.

Michigan, let Alpena get to work.