Our Vision

Downtown 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 Us

The 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:
  • Correct and prevent deterioration within the established DDA district;
  • To encourage historic preservation;
  • To acquire and dispose of interests in real and personal property;
  • To create and implement development plans in the district;
  • To promote the economic growth of the district.

The Alpena DDA district was expanded in 1988, 1989, 2004, and most recently in 2023. 

District Map

Guiding 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 7, 2025 at 3:00 pm - View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 3:00 pm - View Agenda | Minutes 
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
*Our March meeting date has been pushed back one week from our regular meeting time
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
*Our April meeting was rescheduled to April 8th due to the ice storm
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda | Minutes
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 3:00 pm- View Agenda
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Tuesday, December 2, 2025

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.
2024: ​The DDA held its two informational meetings on December 12 at 5:30 pm at December 17 at 3:00 pm. View the slideshow here: ​2024_informational_meetings.pdf
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 
Melissa Tolan-Halleck, Vice Chair, Owner, Clem's Bait & Tackle, Employee at Veteran's Administration Community Based Outreach Clinic
Todd Britton, Owner, Meridian Contracting Services, LLC
Corey Canute, Owner, Canute Properties
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 
Andrea Yoxsimer, Resource Protection Specialist, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary & Downtown Resident
​
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 Committees

The 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.
Design & Beautification Committee 
Works to create a safe, physically sound, inviting atmosphere for shoppers, workers, and visitors.  Pays attention to all of its physical elements: public and private buildings, storefronts, signs, public spaces, parking areas, street furniture, public art, landscaping, merchandising, and window displays. Oversees the Facade Grant program.

Meets every 4th Wednesday of the month at 12:00pm

Economic Development
Works to strengthen downtown’s existing economic assets while diversifying its economic base. The goal is to build a commercial district that responds to the needs of today’s consumers through attracting new businesses and assisting current ones.

Meets every 3rd Friday of the month at 8:00am
Promotions & Marketing Committee
Works to support positive economic development by strengthening the image and identity of downtown Alpena through facilitating, implementing, and promoting downtown events, activities, and programs. 

Meets every 4th Friday of the month at 10:30am

​

Parking Committee
The parking committee continues to review the downtown parking plan for all day and two hour parking and to create parking plans that respond to downtown’s needs.

Meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month at noon

DDA Staff
Anne Gentry, Executive Director
[email protected] | (989) 356-6422
Anne Gentry has been Executive Director of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority since Spring 2017, where she manages day-to-day operations and leads execution of DDA goals, programs, and strategies. She graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature, with a concentration on English and Italian literature. She has also studied in Bologna, Italy and in Adelaide, South Australia. She also serves as a board member for Thunder Bay Theatre in Alpena and Michigan Downtown Association, a statewide association for downtown revitalization, education, and advocacy. She grew up in Alpena and is proud to be a part of downtown's renaissance in her role at the DDA.
Savannah Peterson, Parking Ambassador & Administrative Assistant
[email protected] | (989) 354-1792
Savannah Peterson has been the Parking Ambassador for the DDA since February 2019, where she monitors downtown parking. In 2023, she also began her role as Administrative Assistant for the DDA, where she helps with poster delivery, office administration, and other various tasks for the DDA! Savannah graduated from Alcona High School and recently completed her Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement from Alpena Community College. In her free time, she enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with family. 

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.
Our fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30. 

​The DDA has contracts with the following companies: ​

DDA Budget

Each year, the DDA goes through the City of Alpena budgeting process. You can view past years' budgets below.
FY 24-25
​FY 23-24
FY 22-23

Audits

The 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. 

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