News Photo Illustration In this collage of photos, the Decorative Panels International property sits along the shoreline, Thunder Bay Theatre remains under renovation following two devastating fires, the Alpena water tower is seen, and planned renovations for Culligan Plaza are illustrated.

ALPENA — This year promises a number of significant stories for Northeast Michigan, from a major trial to big economic development projects to ongoing controversy at the Alpena County Library.

Here’s a look at the stories The News will be watching in 2025:

ELOWSKI TRIAL POSSIBLE

Police arrested Alpena attorney Michelle Elowski in February and charged her with check fraud, non-sufficient funds $500 or more, common law fraud, embezzlement by an agent or trustee $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, and embezzlement of $50,000 or more but less than $100,000. Police accuse her of embezzling money from clients.

Elowski’s trial was delayed once but is expected to take place early in 2025.

WATER-SEWER NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE

After more than a decade of litigation over water and sewer rates paid by Alpena Township to Alpena, the two governments in December reached a settlement covering 2014 to 2017.

But the two governments still have to iron out what the township owes the city for 2018 through 2024.

The December agreement could help the two sides craft rates for the later years and into the future.

In a joint press release last month, the two municipalities said they will continue to bargain with one another to put the issue to rest, but would not provide the public further updates until a deal is made.

LIBRARY BOOK DISPUTE CONTINUES

Supporters of the Alpena County Library board recently threatened to recall Alpena County commissioners who voted to appoint two new members to the library board.

Both of the new appointees say they believe some books in the children’s and teens’ sections of the library are too sexually graphic for minors and should be moved.

The two appointees could shift the direction of the library, as it seems there is now a majority of the five-member board in favor of moving the books.

The county commissioners will soon take their oath of office for their next term and cannot be recalled during the first year of the term or the final year.

3RD AVENUE EXTENSION

A proposed project that would extend 3rd Avenue out to Tamarack Road and potentially see the construction of a new roundabout in Alpena Township has drawn criticism from numerous residents while earning the support of many others.

While officials think the project would cost about $2 million, final design plans and costs should be completed soon. A proposed roundabout near the intersection of Barrington Circle and 3rd Avenue could bump up the cost.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE DPI PROPERTY?

The Decorative Panels International property in Alpena is slated to be sold at auction later this month and anyone who purchases the land will need to abide by new zoning.

Earlier this month, the Alpena Municipal Council rezoned the lakeside property from heavy industrial to lakefront.

The new zoning could open the doors for mixed-use development on the Lake Huron shoreline down the road.

DPI has said the rezoning could make it harder for the company to sell the property. At council meetings toward the end of the year, an attorney for DPI said legal action could be considered if the zoning was changed.

The property is contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, and other pollutants, so future development may take time, but the city hopes to one day see a waterfront district that has a mix of small businesses, housing, and a public area on the beach.

Future development could take years, but a new industrial plant is unlikely to replace DPI.

NUMEROUS DEVELOPMENT

PROJECTS AFOOT

Alpena expects to continue in 2025 to build on the economic development momentum it has seen over the last several years.

There will likely be new stores and shops to open in the area, and a new Hampton Inn and Suites should be opening in the coming months.

Besides new businesses, a long list of projects are planned.

A proposed redesign of Culligan Plaza in downtown Alpena, which also would include a restroom facility, should commence in the spring, and a new restroom facility at Bay View Park is slated to be done this year.

Major improvements are also planned for areas of Bay View Park.

Also, progress is expected on new housing projects on city-owned property on U.S.-23 North.

THUNDER BAY THEATRE RENOVATIONS

Thunder Bay Theatre in November started the last portion of its capital campaign to reopen after two devastating fires and theft.

The performing arts venue has been closed since a July 2020 fire destroyed the adjacent John A. Lau Saloon and caused significant water and smoke damage to the theater, lobby, restrooms, and upstairs apartments at Thunder Bay Theatre.

Then, in December 2023, another fire destroyed the theater’s warehouse.

Prior to the fires, the warehouse was used to store and build sets and supplies. The warehouse wall was adjacent to the backstage area, which was also destroyed in the December 2023 fire.

The cost to rebuild the warehouse is over $500,000. Thunder Bay Theatre received $200,000 from insurance and will need to raise an additional $300,000 to reopen.

The entire project to renovate the building and rebuild the warehouse, starting with the damage from the July 2020 fire that destroyed the John A. Lau Saloon, is close to $2 million.

The theater’s Board of Directors has secured just over $1 million in grant and foundation support for the original renovation from the Michigan Economic Development Corp., the State Historic Preservation Office, the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, the First Federal Legacy Foundation, and the Besser Foundation, with a remaining $400,000 in organizational funds.