PROJECTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS FY 2020/ 2021
The following is a list of the Alpena DDA's accomplishments, projects, investments and events for FY 2020/2021.
The DDA's fiscal year runs July 1- June 30.
Design & Beautification
Ongoing Investments
Promotions
As part of our promotions of the downtown district, this year we launched:
Events
Economic Development
The DDA's fiscal year runs July 1- June 30.
Design & Beautification
- Reviewed and revised our Facade Grant program and procedures.
- Continued our partnership with NEMROC and had three employees work seasonally to pick up trash, cigarette butts, and beautify our downtown.
- Continued investing in outdoor tables, benches, bike racks, and flower boxes to place throughout the downtown.
- Contracted with Falls Creek Produce & Flowers to decorate Culligan Plaza with live greenery for the holiday season.
- Supported the closure of the alleyway between Second and Third Avenue to vehicular traffic on a trial basis for the summer and fall months.
Ongoing Investments
- Downtown Street Performer series, May through October $1,000
- Alpena Chamber of Commerce + Economic Development $1,500
- Fresh Waves Mural Project $10,000
- Hanging flower baskets $3,400
- Outdoor furniture $2,400
- Fresh greenery in Culligan Plaza for the holidays $1,400
- Summer employee for downtown maintenance + projects through the City $1,500
Promotions
As part of our promotions of the downtown district, this year we launched:
- Vibrant, Artsy, Growing campaign on social media.
- Downtown Dive-In feature on Instagram to highlight DDA programs, projects, grants, and events.
- Wrote and published 19 blog posts on Blog Downtown Alpena with over 7300 views and 3500 visitors.
- Continued a monthly radio advertising package through True North Radio Network
- Continued to maintain Downtown Alpena's social media accounts and website
- Continued to maintain relationships with local media and run relevant advertisements to promote events and general downtown awareness (social media, print, radio, digital)
Events
- July 24 & 25- Sidewalk Sales
- Summer 2020- Coffee & Cars
- October 22- Flannel Fun Night
- November 18- Virtual Holiday Shopping Night
- December 12- Jingle Bell Crawl
- December 12 & 19- Virtual Storytime with Santa
- February 25- Snowed In Virtual Shopping Event
- March 25- Spring Fever Shoptacular
- May 2- May 8- Small Business Showcase
- June 19- Blues Festival
Economic Development
- Supported small businesses by awarding COVID-19 relief grants to match All in for Alpena awards totalling $13,775.
- Launched our Retail Recruitment Grant Program, which provides grants up to $10,000 for existing businesses to relocate or expand into the DDA district.
- Created a Grow Your Business Downtown tri-fold and a dedicated page on our website with information about local and state resources for new and existing businesses.
- Submitted two Match on Main grant requests through the MEDC in March 2021. Red Brick Tap & Barrel was awarded a $25,000 grant through the program to renovate the alleyway next to their building and transform it into a vibrant outdoor seating and bar area.
- Prepared & launched the Downtown Alpena Social District in partnership with the City of Alpena. The Social District allows patrons 21+ to purchase an alcoholic beverage from a business who has received a Social District Permit and walk around the district with it.
FUTURE PLANS
Ongoing projects and priorities for the remainder of 2021 & 2022 include:
As of June 30, 2020, the DDA had $284,219 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:
- Replace existing bike racks and flower baskets to rent out to businesses
- Evaluate boundary expansion and update Downtown Development & TIF Plan
- Continue to execute marketing campaigns to promote the downtown district (social media, newspaper, radio, TV)
- Invest in the alleyways downtown to make them more pedestrian friendly
- Beautify areas around trees and improve landscaping downtown
- Continue hosting promotional events (Chowder Chili Cook-off, holiday events, Mural Celebration) and launch new events such as Restaurant Week & Ice Festival
As of June 30, 2020, the DDA had $284,219 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:
- Economic development initiatives & recruitment programs, including Retail Recruitment Program (ongoing)
- Streetscape & Parking Lot improvements: Second Avenue, downtown parks, parking lot enhancements (5 year goal)
- Parking improvements such as pay-for-parking and parking structure (5 year goal)
PROJECTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS FY 2019/ 2020
The following is a list of the Alpena DDA's accomplishments, projects, investments and events for FY 2019/2020.
The DDA's fiscal year runs July 1- June 30.
Design & Beautification
Ongoing Investments
Promotions
Events
The DDA's fiscal year runs July 1- June 30.
Design & Beautification
- Purchased new winter banners featuring local artwork
- Planted twenty-three new trees in the downtown district
- Contracted with Falls Creek Produce & Flowers to decorate Culligan Plaza with fresh greenery during the holiday season
- Commissioned local artist and blacksmith Jake Idema to fabricate two large bike racks to be placed in front of the Antique Mall on North Second Ave & Culligan Plaza ($6,600 total)
Ongoing Investments
- Downtown Scrims for vacant properties with Art in the Loft $1,000
- Downtown Street Performer series, May through October $1,000
- Alpena Chamber of Commerce + Economic Development $1,500
- Fresh Waves Mural Project $10,000
- Hanging flower baskets $3,200
- Outdoor furniture $2,400
- Summer employee for downtown maintenance + projects through the City $1,500
Promotions
- As part of our promotions of the downtown district, this year we launched:
- Seasonal promotional videos, which were filmed by Irving Entertainment
- Coffee with Kingsli, a weekly series on Facebook Live
- Monthly radio advertising package through True North Radio Network
- Continued to maintain Downtown Alpena's social media accounts and website
- Continued to maintain relationships with local media and run relevant advertisements to promote events and general downtown awareness (social media, print, radio, digital)
Events
- Downtown Sidewalk Sales (July 2019)
- Downtown Mural Celebration: Fresh Waves (August 2, 2019)
- The Longest Table (August 25, 2019)
- Chili Chowder Cook-off (October 5, 2019)
- Rise Artisan Market (October 26, 2019)
- Bard at the Bar (November 13, 2019)
- Small Business Saturday (November 30, 2019)
- Visit with Santa weekends (December 14 & December 21, 2019)
- Leap Year Local (February 29, 2020)
- Virtual Shopping Nights (May & June 2020)
FUTURE PLANS
Ongoing projects and priorities for the remainder of 2020 & 2021 include:
As of June 30, 2019, the DDA had $315,820 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:
- Launch Retail Recruitment program
- Replace existing bike racks and flower baskets to rent out to businesses
- Evaluate potential boundary expansion
- Create Historic Plaque program for historic buildings downtown
- Continue to execute marketing campaigns to promote the downtown district (social media, newspaper, radio, TV)
- Continued event hosting (Chowder Chili Cook-off, Bard at the Bar, holiday events, Mural Celebration)
As of June 30, 2019, the DDA had $315,820 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:
- Business development & recruitment programs, including Retail Recruitment Program (launch this year)
- Culligan Plaza updates (2-3 year goal)
- Streetscape & Parking Lot improvements: Second Avenue, downtown parks, parking lot enhancements (5 year goal)
- Parking Structure Investment (5 year goal)
PROJECTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS FY 2018/2019
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.