our mission
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BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE
The Alpena DDA Board of Directors meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 3:00 pm in City Hall Council Chambers. 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.
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Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Please note that meeting has been pushed back a week from our regular monthly meeting time Location: Alpena City Hall Council Chambers with option to join virtually |
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 | 3:00 pm
Please note that meeting has been pushed back a week from our regular monthly meeting time Location: Alpena City Hall Council Chambers with the option to join virtually |
Tuesday, May 2, 2023 | 3:00 pm
Location: Alpena City Hall Council Chambers with option to join virtually |
informational meetings
2022: The DDA held its two informational meetings on December 6, 2022 at 2:00 pm and December 15, 2022 at 5:30 pm to inform the public of the projects accomplished in the last year and priorities moving forward. Meetings were held in City Hall Council Chambers (208 N. First Ave) with the option to join virtually. 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 to inform the public of the projects accomplished in the last year and priorities moving forward. Meetings were held in person at City Hall Council Chambers (208 N. First Ave) with the option to join virtually. 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 to inform the public of projects accomplished in the last year and priorities moving forward. 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 with downtown's best interests in mind.
Mike Mahler, Chairman, Director of Economic Development, Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce
Matt Wojda, Vice- Chairman, Attorney, White & Wojda
Todd Britton, Owner, Meridian Contracting Services, LLC
Jennifer Calery, Public Relations & Communications Consultant, Cinnaire
Corey Canute, Co-owner, Red Brick Tap & Barrel
Cristi Johnson, Owner, skellaFiT Personal Training Studio
Nicholas Lusardi, Alpena High School student (via Government for Tomorrow)
Quintin Meek, Senior Account Executive, Lappan Agency
Rachel Smolinski, Alpena City Manager
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 anneg@alpena.mi.us 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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Authority Staff
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. Previous to working at the DDA, she worked as Visitor Experience Manager at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena before receiving her teaching certificate in English as a Second Language 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. |
Savannah Peterson has been the Parking Ambassador for the DDA since February 2019, where she monitors downtown parking. 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. |
Kady Gehrke is starting her role as Marketing & Outreach Coordinator for the Alpena DDA this winter 2021. She is currently finishing up her degree in Communication, Culture, and Media with Spanish and French minors at Michigan Technological University this spring! She was born and raised in Alpena, MI and is excited to come back and be a part of helping the town thrive. Some of her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, knitting, spending time outdoors, and running sled dogs while at school! |
FINANCIALS
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.
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.
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.