PROJECTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The following is a list of the Alpena DDA's accomplishments, projects, investments and events for FY 2018/2019.
The DDA's fiscal year runs July 1- June 30.
The DDA's fiscal year runs July 1- June 30.
Design & Beautification
Ongoing Investments
Promotions
Events
- Invested in new white lights for downtown holiday decorations
- Purchased new bows for downtown holiday wreaths
- Invested in fabrication of new holiday wreaths
- Re-landscaped Pocket Park with Prattscape, laid new irrigation
- Purchased downtown banners featuring local artwork
- Facade Grants awarded
- 129 W. Chisholm St. $5,000
- 500 W. Fletcher St. $5,000
- 109 W. Chisholm St. $5,000
- 109 & 111 River St. $10,000
Ongoing Investments
- Downtown Scrims for vacant properties with Art in the Loft $1,000
- Alpena Chamber of Commerce + Economic Development $1,500
- Fresh Waves mural $12,000
- Hanging flower baskets $2,000
- Outdoor furniture $2,400
- Summer employee for downtown maintenance + projects through the City $1,500
Promotions
- Ran a digital marketing campaign with Q+M Agency
- New branded digtal graphics $1,000
- Influencer Outreach $850
- New landing page $3,000
- Paid marketing campaign $5,900
- Created a new portfolio of professional photography of the downtown with Don La Barre Photography
- Launched Downtown Ambassador Program for social media
- Created promotional videos with Irving Entertainment for 2020 launch
Events
- Downtown Chowder & Chili Cook-off (October)
- Bard at the Bar (November)
- Runaway Elves, Downtown Gingerbread Competition, Visit with Santa weekends (December)
- Alpena Blues Festival & DDA Family Zone (June)
- The Longest Table (August)
- Downtown Mural Celebration (August)
FUTURE PLANS
Ongoing projects and priorities for the remainder of 2019 and 2020 include:
As of June 30, 2018, the DDA had $297,815 in its fund balance. As the 2004 TIF + Development Plan describes, this balance is expected to contribute to the following projects which require a larger amount of investment:
View more budgetary and fund balance information here.
- Alleyway improvements- making them more pedestrian-friendly and accessible
- New bike racks- replacing existing ones and consolidating bike parking
- New flower baskets for businesses to rent out
- New networking and outreach to downtown businesses (economic development initiative)
- Continued promotional campaigns (social media, newspaper, radio, TV)
- Continued event hosting (Chowder Chili Cook-off, Bard at the Bar, holiday events, Mural Celebration)
As of June 30, 2018, the DDA had $297,815 in its fund balance. As the 2004 TIF + Development Plan describes, this balance is expected to contribute to the following projects which require a larger amount of investment:
- Streetscape & Parking Lot improvements: Second Avenue, downtown parks, parking lot enhancements (5 year goal)
- Parking Structure Investment (5 year goal)
- Land Acquisition & Economic Development Opportunities (business incubator, performing arts center) (2-3 year goal)
View more budgetary and fund balance information here.