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Albion Is Changing — Here’s the Story in Progress
Albion’s future planning begins where the city itself was born — at the forks of the river. Long before dams altered its course, this confluence drew people together and gave rise to a community. Reconnecting with that natural foundation is at the heart of today’s vision. Planned river and dam improvements aim to restore natural flow, enhance recreation, and once again make the water a central part of Albion’s identity.
Beyond the river’s edge, other projects are shaping the city’s next chapter. The historic Washington Gardner School is being reimagined as attainable housing, reflecting a broader effort to create more places to live within walking distance of downtown. Infrastructure improvements — from repairing key roadways to restoring Albion’s iconic brick streets — are laying the groundwork for growth. These local efforts come at a pivotal time: a massive new battery plant under construction nearby is expected to bring new jobs and residents, increasing demand for housing, transportation, and community spaces.
Scroll down to explore how Albion is evolving — from environmental restoration and housing projects to demolition, redevelopment, and new construction that will define the city’s next era.
Albion Community Foundation move puts development partners under one roof
Community organizations find a new home at Albion College's Ludington Center By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - September 4, 2026The Albion Community Foundation has a new home downtown, but its move to the Ludington Center is about more than a change of address.The Foundation now shares the building at 101 N. Superior St. with the Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce, Albion Economic Development Corporation and Albion College development staff ... Read More
Austin-Eaton intersection torn open for major water system work
Austin-Eaton intersection torn open for major water system work By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - August 28, 2026The Austin Avenue and North Eaton Street intersection is now fully engulfed in construction, with excavators, open trenches and barricades blocking one of Albion's important routes between downtown and the west side of the city.On a cool, breezy Monday afternoon, crews worked throughout the intersection while motorists adjusted to the closure. A ... Read More
Albion’s water-main work reroutes traffic
Bigger pipes, closed streets: Albion's water-main work reroutes traffic By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - August 21, 2026Barricades, detour signs and heavy equipment have become familiar sights on Albion's northwestern side this summer, near the western entrance to the city from I-94 Exit 121 and the I-94 Business Loop. But much of the work causing the disruption is happening underground.At the intersection of North Eaton Street and Austin Avenue, ... Read More
Questions, coffee and cheesecake bring residents together with City Hall
Questions, coffee and cheesecake bring residents together with City Hall By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - July 31, 2026The coffee was flowing, conversations had already begun, and more than 30 Albion residents gathered Wednesday morning, July 22, at Trackside Eatery & Dry Pub for what City Manager Dr. Sheryl Theriot called the "Cheesecake with the City Manager.""I'm so glad you're here and full of wonderful energy, bright and early ... Read More
Smoke, Heat and Hiring: Career Fair showcases regional opportunities
Smoke, Heat and Hiring: Career Fair showcases regional opportunities By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - July 24, 2026Thick Canadian wildfire smoke hung over Albion Thursday, July 16, pushing air quality into the hazardous range while temperatures climbed into the 90s. Despite the difficult conditions, employers and job seekers still gathered at Albion College's Ludington Center for the Greater Albion Area Career Fair.Some arrived by car, others on foot or ... Read More
Clean audit, library renewal and public service Albion council meeting 7-20-26
Clean audit, library renewal and public service highlighted at Albion council meeting 7-20-26 By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - July 24, 2026Albion City Council balanced important city business with several moments recognizing community service Monday evening, approving planning and infrastructure items while honoring longtime volunteers, city employees and first responders.Mayor Pro Tem Andy French presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Victoria Garcia-Snyder.The meeting opened with remarks ... Read More
Community organizations find a new home at Albion College’s Ludington Center
Community organizations find a new home at Albion College's Ludington Center By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - July 10, 2026The public will have an opportunity to see Albion College's Ludington Center during the Greater Albion Area Career Fair on Thursday, July 16, as community organizations begin working together from their new downtown home.The career fair, hosted by the Albion Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), Michigan Works! Southwest and the Greater ... Read More
Housing, water system and family initiatives highlight Albion council meeting
Housing, water system and family initiatives highlight Albion council meeting By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - July 10, 2026More than 30 people attended Monday's Albion City Council meeting, where officials addressed long-term challenges facing the city's water and sewer system, approved the team that will create Albion's next comprehensive plan, heard details about a new financial support program for expectant mothers and families with newborns, and recognized longtime public ... Read More
Council sorts priorities into timeline for city manager’s evaluation
The Albion City Council voted Tuesday, Feb. 17, to approve a contract with Dr. Sheryl L. Theriot as city manager, bringing back a familiar leader ... Read More
Albion Prepares for New Monthly Water Bills as Infrastructure Investment Continues
Albion Prepares for New Monthly Water Bills as Infrastructure Investment Continues By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - July 3, 2026Albion residents will soon begin receiving monthly water bills under a new billing system as the city undertakes one of the largest water and sewer infrastructure improvement programs in decades. During a nearly 40-minute presentation at the June 15 Albion City Council meeting, representatives from Waterworth joined city officials by Zoom ... Read More
Historic Downtown Building Enters Stabilization Phase
Historic Downtown Building Enters Stabilization Phase By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - July 3, 2026Stabilization work is now underway at 203 N. Superior St., known to many residents as the BBQ building, marking another step in the effort to preserve one of Albion's historic downtown buildings.The building sits between Dickerson Music Co. and Lopez Taco House, with the back entrance to these buildings in the parking lot behind City ... Read More
What Albion Residents Need to Know This Summer
What Albion Residents Need to Know This Summer By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - June 26, 2026Construction projects, utility upgrades and property developments continue across Albion as city officials work through one of the busiest infrastructure seasons the community has seen in decades.For residents, many of the changes are already visible in daily life.Drivers have encountered road closures and detours as crews replace aging water mains, sanitary sewers, storm ... Read More
Making Room for Albion’s Next Chapter
Albion’s renewal is visible throughout the community — from downtown demolitions that make way for new construction to infrastructure repairs that strengthen the foundation beneath our streets.
Projects like the recent road and sewer repairs supporting the new water main and water tower, the Union Steel demolition, and the planned dam removal, along with earlier downtown building removals for the Courtyard by Marriott, all show how Albion is rebuilding from the ground up. Each cleared lot, repaved street, and upgraded water line makes room for new possibilities — safer neighborhoods, modern housing, and a stronger future for the city.
The Calhoun County Land Bank Authority, working alongside the City of Albion, continues to remove unsafe or blighted structures, preparing sites for redevelopment and green space.
Beneath Albion: Sewer Study Reveals Scope of Aging System and Cost of Repairs
Beneath Albion: Sewer Study Reveals Scope of Aging System and Cost of Repairs By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - May 1, 2026Every day, nearly three million gallons of water flow into Albion's wastewater treatment plant. The problem is that only about half of it should be there.Albion's pump stations ...
5th Precinct Meeting Covers Infrastructure, Transportation and Dementia Awareness
5th Precinct Meeting Covers Infrastructure, Transportation and Dementia Awareness By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - April 17 Albion's 5th Precinct meeting, chaired by Council Member Vivian Davis, drew up to 50 residents on Tuesday, April 16, 2026, in the evening with questions about roads, water service, and leaf pickup, ...
Infrastructure Unter Pressure
Infrastructure Under Pressure By Maggie LaNoue , Contributing Writer April 10, 2026 A larger-than-usual crowd filled Albion City Council chambers on Monday, April 6, drawn largely by concern over the city's aggressive tree removal program. They stayed for a conversation that went much deeper — raw sewage backing up into manholes, ...
Albion’s aging trees meet aging infrastructure: why dozens of trees are coming down
Albion's aging trees meet aging infrastructure: why dozens of trees are coming down across the city By Maggie LaNoue , Contributing Writer April 3, 2026 Fresh stumps and utility marking flags near Holland Park on West Cass Street mark where trees were recently removed. The street is undergoing complete reconstruction including ...
Spring Winds, New Leadership, and Long Debate Mark Albion Council Meeting
Spring Winds, New Leadership, and Long Debate Mark Albion Council Meeting By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - March 20Under near-whiteout weather and icy conditions Monday evening, Albion City Council worked through a long agenda that stretched from infrastructure planning and redevelopment to ordinance updates and the first official day ...
Albion Public Works Update Brings Practical Answers — and Some Humor
Albion Public Works Update Brings Practical Answers — and Some Humor By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - March 13Questions about roads and underground utilities took up much of Albion’s March 5 Town Hall meeting, but one of the liveliest portions of the evening came when local officials turned to ...
Albion Town Hall Maps Out Busy Season of Street Reconstruction
Albion Town Hall Maps Out Busy Season of Street Reconstruction By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - March 13Residents filled the meeting room at Marshall Opportunity High School on March 5 for a Town Hall meeting that outlined four major street projects, utility upgrades, and expected detours across Albion during ...
Millions in Infrastructure Work Move Forward Alongside Downtown Redevelopment
Millions in Infrastructure Work Move Forward Alongside Downtown Redevelopment By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - March 6Nearly $8 million in federally and state-supported infrastructure projects, along with approval of a major downtown redevelopment plan, moved forward Monday night as Albion’s elected officials worked through a full and at times ...
Albion Invites Public Input on Roads, Redevelopment, and City Planning
Albion Invites Public Input on Roads, Redevelopment, and City Planning By Maggie LaNoue - Contributing Writer - February 27, 2026 Albion residents will have several opportunities in the coming week to learn more about planned road work, infrastructure projects, and redevelopment proposals, and to share questions and input with city ...
From Pickleball to Pavements: Albion Plans $66,500 in Park Upgrades
From Pickleball to Pavements: Albion Plans $66,500 in Park Upgrades By Maggie LaNoue , Contributing Writer February 13, 2026 Molder Park in downtown Albion on a winter morning, adjacent to the Albion Post Office. In the background is the former freight depot, home to Galazio's restaurant, which announced its closing last ...
Water Connections: Albion Links Infrastructure and River Planning
Water Connections: Albion Links Infrastructure and River Planning By Maggie LaNoue , Contributing Writer February 13, 2026 Volunteers with Michigan Waterways Stewards attend the Feb. 2 Albion City Council meeting, where they were acknowledged for their contributions to river stewardship efforts in the community. Several volunteers came with friends, helping ...
Showing Up When It Matters: Albion Takes Care of Business on Feb. 2
Showing Up When It Matters: Albion Takes Care of Business on Feb. 2 By Maggie LaNoue , Contributing Writer February 6, 2026 Michael Stout, president of Michigan Waterways Stewards, speaks during the Feb. 2 Albion City Council meeting at City Hall. Stout thanked the volunteers who participated in last summer’s Kalamazoo ...
The Courtyard by Marriott: A Cornerstone of Albion’s Renewal
The Courtyard by Marriott hotel opened in 2018 and is one of the biggest changes in Albion’s downtown. The project cost was reported between $8.4 million and $12 million. Funding came from the state, the local Brownfield authority, Albion College, and private investors.
Dr. Samuel “Sam” Shaheen ’88 helped lead the project. He is a physician, business owner, and strong supporter of Albion College, including a major gift to its science center in 2023. Shaheen is also a founding member of Albion Reinvestment Corporation.
The group’s mission is “to combat community deterioration in the downtown business district of the City of Albion and surrounding areas by using all effective means.”
A Community Celebration hosted by ARC
As published in The Recorder Big Albion Plan to Revitalize Downtown Brought to the Public A few dozen people gathered in the old Sanders Building for a “Community Celebration” that was more like an unveiling party. It was a coming together of people who have been working quietly for a few years to acquire resources and Albion real estate, with another group of people who ...
Albion College Graduation
Albion College Graduation Memories Scrapbook 2018 Note from Albion enews. (Sign up for Albion Enews here!) Physician/Developer Shaheen to address Class of 2018 at Albion Commencement PHYSICIAN/DEVELOPER SHAHEEN TO ADDRESS CLASS OF 2018 AT ALBION COMMENCEMENT Several local community champions and College boosters, including trustee Sam Shaheen, '88, will be on hand as Albion College celebrates its 2018 Commencement Saturday, May 5, at 1 p.m ...
Courtyard by Marriott – Albion – Tour – April 2018
The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Albion Michigan opened in March 2018. The 75-room hotel is located at 200 S. Superior Street and managed by the Veridea Group from Marquette, Michigan. Courtyard Albion offers convenient lodging for visitors to Albion and nearby, whether they are coming to enjoy Blues at the Bohm, Albion College events, the Albion Malleable Brewing Company, to take the classic Purple ...
Courtyard by Marriott, Albion opening date information
See a tour of the downtown Albion hotel here: Courtyard by Marriott – Albion – Tour – April 2018 Thanks to the Courtyard by Marriott, Albion hotel for sponsoring General Guide XXIX. People are curious as to the opening date. Jan. 31, 2018 "At this time, we our looking to open towards the end of February. We can't give a definite date at this time, ...
New Things Coming to Albion
Hotel Groundbreaking - May 12, 2016 Opening remarks by City Manager Sheryl Mitchell. The ceremonial groundbreaking of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Albion Michigan was very well attended with an overflow of guests and news teams. In this video, the first speaker, City Manager of Albion Sheryl Mitchell discusses some of the best new things coming to Albion in addition to the hotel including ...
Photos from May 12, 2016 – Ground Breaking for new Albion Hotel
Photos of the ground breaking of the new hotel in downtown Albion Michigan ...
Alumni who can make things happen
President Mauri Ditzler of Albion College gives his 30 second speech to parents of prospective students. Albion College alumni will come away more idealistic and more audacious than when they arrived. Case in point is hotel developer Dr. Sam Shaheen, Albion College graduate and a surgeon who practices medicine daily ...
People of Albion were my inspiration
Soon to be retired President and CEO of Albion Economic Development Corporation Peggy Sindt is introduced by Mauri Ditzler, Albion College President. Peggy talks about the partnerships and teamwork that made the new hotel in Albion Michigan possible. She mentions how everyone at the ribbon cutting (a crowd of over 200 people) had something to do with making it possible. She said people were here ...
Preview of the Courtyard by Marriott in Albion
Thanks to Frank Passic for taking this photo on site before the groundbreaking of the new hotel in downtown Albion. Click on the image to see a larger version. See more posts related to progress in Albion ...
Albion’s Hotel Developer
As promised, we are assembling information about the new hotel that is going to be built in downtown Albion. The developer of the hotel is Dr. Sam Shaheen, an Albion College graduate who still practices medicine every day. Read about Dr. Shaheen's father, also named Dr. Sam Shaheen, who recently passed on, but left a legacy of vision for his family and many others. http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/08/passion_integrity_and_commitme.html ...
Ceremonial Groundbreaking May 12, 2016
Yes it was a ceremonial groundbreaking of the new Courtyard by Marriott Hotel for downtown Albion Michigan. The actual groundbreaking will take place August 2016, and the hotel will be complete by Fall of 2017 ...
Courtyard by Marriott
You are cordially invited to attend the Groundbreaking Celebration of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in downtown Albion, MI, hosted by City of Albion Mayor Joe Domingo, Albion Economic Development Corporation President Peggy Sindt, and Albion College President Mauri Ditzler. Hotel Groundbreaking Ceremony and Celebration Thursday, May 12, 2016, 10:30 AM Future Hotel Site (on the corner of Superior and Center St.) Downtown Albion, MI ...