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Alpena County board concurs with US‑23 TIF plan to back 128‑bed Gardens of Alpena; 6‑1 vote
Summary
The Alpena County Board of Commissioners voted 6‑1 to concur with the City of Alpena’s US‑23 Corridor Improvement Authority Development and TIF plans to support the proposed Gardens of Alpena, a 128‑bed senior housing project estimated at $47 million that the city says will create about 100 jobs.
The Alpena County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 28 approved a resolution concurring with the City of Alpena’s US‑23 Corridor Improvement Authority Development Plan and tax increment financing (TIF) plan to support the proposed Gardens of Alpena senior housing project.
City Manager Rachel Smolinski and Brownfield consultant Mac McClelland presented the plan, saying the project is a proposed 128‑bed independent living, assisted living and memory care facility with an estimated $47 million investment and roughly 100 jobs. "There are no taxes coming in right now, so this is only additional income for the taxing jurisdictions," Smolinski said, and presenters described a structure in which about 90% of captured increment would go to the developer and 10% would come into taxing jurisdictions. The presentation estimated the schools — which are not subject to capture — would realize roughly $6 million over 20 years.
County Administrator Jesse Osmer read the resolution, which asked the county to concur with creation of the US‑23 North Corridor Improvement Authority and to waive future adoption of a resolution exempting county taxes from capture under MCL 125.4618(5). Commissioner Bill Britton moved the measure and Commissioner Dan Ludlow supported it. A roll call vote returned AYES from Commissioners Bill LaHaie, Dan Ludlow, Lucille Bray, Todd Britton, Travis Konarzewski and Bill Peterson; NAYS: Commissioner Brenda Fournier. Commissioner John Kozlowski was excused. The motion carried.
During public comment later in the meeting, resident Michael Kramer urged caution about tax abatements and said residents should be able to review financials if the county enters a partnership; Kramer asked that terms be revisited after 15 years if the arrangement becomes solely profit for developers.
Supporters at the presentation argued the TIF is necessary to make the project financially viable amid higher construction costs and interest rates. Opponents, including Commissioner Fournier in her recorded no vote and public commenters, signaled concern about using captured local tax revenues to finance a private development and about long‑term oversight of any tax incentives.
The board’s concurrence allows the City of Alpena to proceed with the Corridor Improvement Authority process, with anticipated further approvals at the Corridor Improvement Authority and Alpena City Council in February and March, respectively.
