News Photo by Steve Schulwitz The new Hampton Inn and Suites in Alpena sits quiet on Sunday but crews will resume construction today. The hotel is expected to open late in the spring.

ALPENA — Alpena experienced significant economic development success in 2024, and more development projects will wrap up or kick off this year.

Last year, Alpena had a new Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Aldi, and various other small businesses opened their doors.

This year, the new Hampton Inn and Suites, a Hot ‘n’ Now, and Quiznos are expected to open, and other projects worked on behind the scenes should continue to move forward.

Earlier this month, Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Director Mike Mahler provided an update to the Alpena Municipal Council on the development success from last year and gave a peak on the status of some ongoing projects.

Mahler said the opening of Ollie’s and Aldi were big additions to the Alpena retail landscape. They excited residents and seemed to join Marshalls as a viable shopping choice for both residents and visitors.

Aldi was in the works for many years and endured a series of speed bumps. Originally, the company wanted to build it where the Alpena Public Schools bus garage is and offered to build the school district a new garage at a different location in exchange for the land.

At times, it seemed a deal was imminent, but after several years of negotiations, the deal died. Mahler continued to work with the developer and convinced him that the property on M-32, where the store is today, was a good fit.

“I’m so glad to see this finally open,” he said in his report. “This has been an 8-year ordeal. Nothing that I have been involved in so far in this role has garnered more favorable feedback to me than this project. The store looks busy given the number of cars in the lot when I drive by or stop in.”

Work is still being done at the former Peebles location on U.S.-23 South where the new Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) facility is slated to open, and plans are moving forward for a new convenience store to be constructed at the corner of M-32 and Airport Road.

Mahler said interest in Alpena for business and housing continues to be strong and there are potential projects that he can not comment on at this time.

“I am aware of other projects across the area that are in the early exploration stages,” Mahler said. “I will continue to collaborate with the various parties to help address the needs that arise. My goal remains to bring these projects from concept to reality. When it is appropriate to share information about these projects, I will do so.”

Mahler also updated on the new senior housing project that is slated to be developed on the city-owned property on U.S.-23 North.

The Gardens of Alpena, if completed, would include 128 apartments, in two structures, as well as a host of amenities and recreational offerings. To run the facility, about 100 staff would be needed, which would also boost the area’s employment numbers. It could also add homes occupied in Alpena currently, to become available for either rent or for sale.

A proposed mixed-use project in the works for the former Alpena Power Company property at the foot of the 2nd Avenue bridge may have also lost momentum. Mahler said new ideas for the property are being considered, in conjunction with the City of Alpena and the Alpena Downtown Development Authority. Mahler said any use of the property would be able to be changed if another developer were to move forward with a project.

“We’re looking at alternatives to activate the space and turn it into a productive community asset by taking advantage of the great downtown location,” Mahler said. “Among the items being explored is an opportunity to partner with the DDA for a pop-up market. The idea is to make this non-permanent use, so we do not block future development opportunities that may arise.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.