City council accepts $500,000 state grant to renovate Algonac Activity Center

Algonac’s City Council voted on June 16 to accept a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Education to continue renovations of the former Algonac Elementary School, which the city plans to operate as the Algonac Activity Center.

City Manager Bryson told the council the award brings the project’s initial funding to roughly $750,000 when combined with previously budgeted local dollars and other stimulus funding. The grant agreement covers the period Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2027 and is reimbursement-based: the city must submit invoices and supporting documentation to the Michigan Department of Education to request payment, and retain records for seven years to comply with the agreement.

The agreement lists eligible work to continue rehabilitation, including roof replacement, floor and ceiling repairs, and asbestos remediation if required. Bryson said the city is obtaining final roofing quotes and expects construction work to begin this summer once invoice procedures are in place and invoices can be submitted for reimbursement.

Council discussion touched on timing and administration. Bryson said the grant is not an upfront payment; the city must spend funds and then invoice the state for reimbursement. Council members recorded a unanimous roll-call vote to approve the grant agreement and directed the city manager to sign the agreement on behalf of the city.

The grant acceptance follows prior local budget commitments and other state and stimulus awards that officials said helped assemble the current funding package. The council and staff said they will return to the body with specific contracts and construction timelines as bids and invoices are finalized.

Next steps: staff to sign the agreement, obtain contractor quotes for roof and other work, complete required invoicing and reporting to the Michigan Department of Education, and begin eligible work with reimbursement requests submitted as costs are incurred.