Our VisionDowntown Alpena: a year-round cultural destination in Northern Michigan, blending historic charm with authenticity and unique waterfront experiences.
Our Mission The Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) cultivates economic vitality in Downtown Alpena by bringing people together to create a thriving community for businesses, residents, property owners and visitors.
About UsThe Alpena DDA was established in 1980, enabled by the Michigan Public Act 197 of 1975, City of Alpena Ordinance and governed by the DDA by-laws.
According to Act 197 of Public Act 1975, the mission of the Alpena DDA is to:
The Alpena DDA district was expanded in 1988, 1989, 2004, and most recently in 2023. District MapGuiding Documents |
Board Meetings
The Alpena DDA Board of Directors meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 3:00 pm. The Board meets in City Hall Council Chambers (208 N. First Ave., second floor) unless otherwise specified. All board meetings are open to the public with the opportunity for public comment at the start of the meeting. For more information about what will be talked about this month's meeting or to see what the board has talked about in the past, click the buttons below.
Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 3:00 pm - View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, April 9, 2024* at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
*Our April meeting date has been pushed back one week from our regular meeting time
Friday, April 19, 2024 from 12-3:00 pm at Alpena Yacht Club (250 Prentiss St)- Strategic Planning Session- View Agenda
*There will be no voting on policy, budgets, or any other operational matters. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss future goals of the Authority. A Strategic Plan will be presented and voted on at a future Board Meeting.
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, August 13, 2024* at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
*Our August meeting date has been pushed back one week from our regular meeting time
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda
*Our September meeting date has been pushed back one week from our regular meeting time
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 3:00 pm
*Our November meeting date has been pushed back one week from our regular meeting time
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, April 9, 2024* at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
*Our April meeting date has been pushed back one week from our regular meeting time
Friday, April 19, 2024 from 12-3:00 pm at Alpena Yacht Club (250 Prentiss St)- Strategic Planning Session- View Agenda
*There will be no voting on policy, budgets, or any other operational matters. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss future goals of the Authority. A Strategic Plan will be presented and voted on at a future Board Meeting.
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, August 13, 2024* at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
*Our August meeting date has been pushed back one week from our regular meeting time
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda
*Our September meeting date has been pushed back one week from our regular meeting time
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 3:00 pm
*Our November meeting date has been pushed back one week from our regular meeting time
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Informational Meetings
Each year in December, the DDA holds two informational meetings to inform the public of its accomplishments in the last year and of goals moving forward. You can view information about each years' meetings below.
2023: The DDA held its two informational meetings on December 5, 2023 at 2:00 pm at December 14, 2023 at 5:30 pm. View the slideshow here.
2022: The DDA held its two informational meetings on December 6, 2022 at 2:00 pm and December 15, 2022 at 5:30 pm. You can view a recording of the presentation here or view the slideshow here.
2021: The DDA held two informational meetings on December 15, 2021 at 4 pm & December 17 at 11 am. You can view a recording of the presentation here or view the slideshow here.
2020: The DDA held two informational meetings on December 14 & December 17, 2020. You can view a recording of the presentation by clicking here.
DDA Board Members
The DDA is governed by a Board of Directors, which is composed of individuals representing a wide range of businesses and industries within the DDA district.
Mike Mahler, Chairman, Director of Economic Development, Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce
Quintin Meek, Vice-Chairman, Senior Account Executive, Lappan Agency
Todd Britton, Owner, Meridian Contracting Services, LLC
Jennifer Calery, Public Relations & Communications Consultant, Cinnaire
Corey Canute, Owner, Canute Properties
Melissa Halleck, Owner, Clem's Bait & Tackle, Employee at Veteran's Administration Community Based Outreach Clinic
Cristi Johnson, Owner, skellaFiT Personal Training Studio
Loren Jackson, Marketing Director at Wolverine State Credit Union
Brian Peterson, Owner, Old Polish Corner, Nowicki's Sausage, Peterson Up North Properties
Rachel Smolinski, Alpena City Manager
Matt Wojda, Attorney, Bauer, Florip & Wojda PLC
Ben Young, Owner, Players Pub, Employee at Youngs Appliance
Anne Gentry, Executive Director, Alpena DDA (ex-officio)
Interested in serving as a DDA Committee or Board Member? Please contact Executive Director Anne Gentry for more information at [email protected] or 989-356-6422.
Mike Mahler, Chairman, Director of Economic Development, Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce
Quintin Meek, Vice-Chairman, Senior Account Executive, Lappan Agency
Todd Britton, Owner, Meridian Contracting Services, LLC
Jennifer Calery, Public Relations & Communications Consultant, Cinnaire
Corey Canute, Owner, Canute Properties
Melissa Halleck, Owner, Clem's Bait & Tackle, Employee at Veteran's Administration Community Based Outreach Clinic
Cristi Johnson, Owner, skellaFiT Personal Training Studio
Loren Jackson, Marketing Director at Wolverine State Credit Union
Brian Peterson, Owner, Old Polish Corner, Nowicki's Sausage, Peterson Up North Properties
Rachel Smolinski, Alpena City Manager
Matt Wojda, Attorney, Bauer, Florip & Wojda PLC
Ben Young, Owner, Players Pub, Employee at Youngs Appliance
Anne Gentry, Executive Director, Alpena DDA (ex-officio)
Interested in serving as a DDA Committee or Board Member? Please contact Executive Director Anne Gentry for more information at [email protected] or 989-356-6422.
DDA CommitteesThe Alpena DDA has four standing committees which meet monthly and are outlined below. DDA Committees work to implement the tasks and goals of the Strategic Plan and report to the Board of Directors for final action.
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DDA Staff
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Financial Information
The Alpena DDA receives the majority of its revenues from two sources:
- Tax Increment Funding (TIF), which goes towards downtown projects and improvements according to our TIF plan;
- A 1.98 special assessment levied on downtown properties which goes towards the DDA’s operational costs.
The DDA has contracts with the following companies:
- Northern Cleaning & Maintenance, for cleaning of DDA Office & lawn care.
- Miller Office Machines, for maintenance of the DDA office copier.
- Wells Fargo, for the lease of the DDA office copier.
- Irving Entertainment, for videography and photography services.
- Maria Kinney, for graphic design services.
AuditsThe DDA is part of the City of Alpena's auditing process. You can view links to the City's audit and budget documents below. City of Alpena Audit Information |
Accomplishments, Projects & Plans
The Alpena DDA is proud to develop and implement various projects, promotions, and events to improve the downtown district, as guided by our 2004 TIF Plan, 2017 Strategic Plan, and the work of our committees. In November 2023, Alpena City Council approved an updated 2023 Downtown Development & TIF Plan, which will guide our projects and priorities moving forward.
View a list of our accomplishments, events, and ongoing projects by clicking here.
View a list of our accomplishments, events, and ongoing projects by clicking here.