Albion Developments • Albion Michigan - General Guide to the Community

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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 Aglow Parade

Even though the day had been rainy, the Albion Aglow parade brought joy to the city for the evening of Friday, December 1, 2023. The temperature was above freezing, and the bricks were wet, reflecting all the floats' lights, the lights of the Bohm Theatre, the downtown decorations, and even the traffic lights. The parade was interrupted by trains two times, but they were short trains and added to the ... Read More

Holiday Open House 2022

Three downtown Albion businesses collaborated to spark holiday spirits and to celebrate the ribbon cutting at Anna's House of Flowers' new downtown location on Nov. 15. Spark your holiday spirits by coming to a Holiday Open House on Tuesday, November 15, 4 - 7pm. This downtown event is being sponsored by Anna's House of Flowers, Yellow Bird Chocolate, and the newcomer Superior Arts gallery and sales, all in the 300 block of South Superior.Despite the ... Read More

Job Fair – 2022 Recipe for Success – Albion Reemployment Services

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 11th, from 11 AM - 3 PM for the 2022 Recipe for Success - Albion Reemployment Services Job Fair. The City of Albion is home to an illustrious industrial park, a high-ranking liberals arts college, and a powerhouse of people ... Read More

Exciting Snapshots from a November Saturday in Albion

Miller family dines at Cascarelli's Albion night before big XC meet

Cascarelli’s of Albion and other local restaurants served a few more guests from out of state this past weekend, Cascarelli’s of Albion and other local restaurants served a few more guests from out of state this past weekend, including some guests who stayed downtown at the Courtyard by Marriott. Visitors were in Albion for more than one reason, but several of them came from Wisconsin for a cross-country race to ... Read More

Albion College, Kellogg Community College, and Marshall Public Schools Partner to Expand Regional Workforce Development

ALBION, Mich., Nov 4, 2021— Albion College, Kellogg Community College, and Marshall Public Schools today announced the Building the Future Workforce partnership. This partnership will develop joint educational programming focused on workforce development and increasing access to post-secondary education in the region. “We have a great deal of untapped potential in our local community...” Becky Jones, interim superintendent of Marshall Public Schools Marshall Public Schools “We have a great deal ... Read More

Cram Family Fund to Revitalize Albion’s Train Depot

By SYLVIA BENAVIDEZ Contributing Writer October 7, 2021 In a weekend filled with positive news, the Albion Community Foundation received a $300,000 gift from the Cram family to honor their parents Dr. Ralph Cram and the late Mary E. Cram. This fund was established by their daughter Virginia Cram-Marto and Dr. Cram to celebrate their family's legacy of philanthropy and volunteerism. This generous gift will initially be used to revitalize ... Read More

Mural dedication spotlights foundry history

The former workers at the Albion Malleable Iron Company stand proudly in front of the mural that shows scenes of where they once worked.

By LINDA KOLMODIN Contributing Writer October 14, 2021 It was like a Malleable family reunion at the recent dedication of foundry-inspired mural painted on the downtown Albion Malleable Brewing Co. Former foundry workers gathered as honored guests at the celebration of the completed -3-D mural painted by local artist Kimber Thompson. Speakers Ben Wade, brewery co-owner and Frank Passic, Albion historian talked about the history of the building and the ... Read More

Albion Coca-Cola Mural Dedicated at Festival of the Forks

By LINDA KOLMODIN Contributing WriterSeptember 23, 2021 Albion's spectacular Coca-Cola sign and historic plaque were dedicated Saturday at the Festival of the Forks 2021, a full two years after the fundraising kicked off in 2019 The people who were wearing Coca-Cola mural t-shirts gathered for a group photo at the mural dedication. Community supporters gathered to view the newly completed mural. The plaque about the history of the circa ... Read More

Holland Park Pavilion Dedication

Several years ago, a small group of dedicated people in Albion saw a need. There was a public park in Albion that had less than ideal equipment for the children's playground, and it seemed to have been forgotten. This park was named Holland Park in 1974, after Robert Holland, a community activist who had helped to end Albion's segregated school system in the 1950's. Council member Lenn Reid and Leslie ... Read More

Tomac Woods Golf Course-an era of golfing ends in Albion

By SYLVIA BENAVIDEZ Contributing Writer September 23, 2021 According to golfers, employees, and families playing golf at the Tomac Woods just outside of the city of Albion was more than spending time playing a game. Playing there was spending time with family. Generations of area golfers learned the game or perfected it on that course. Many of them said that players of all skill levels could enjoy the game at ... Read More

Holland Park Pavilion naming ceremony honors local leader Dr. Harry Bonner

By Sylvia BenavidezContributing Writer September 23, 2021 Dr. Harry Bonner’s name is associated with community activism and leadership and with a deep love and concern for area children. On Sunday, Albion city councilwoman, precinct 2, Lenn Reid, arranged a naming ceremony of the new Holland Park pavilion in his name. Dr. Harry J. Bonner received many accolades and appreciation for his lifetime of supporting others in Albion. "I am the coordinator ... Read More

Progress in Albion

Albion also has many stories of overcoming hardships that stretch back over 100 years. We have seen various losses in the past 20 years including the closure of the largest employer at the time, Hayes Albion. With Albion Community Hospital closing during the same year, 2002, and K-Mart also closing that same year, there have been series of hardships that Albionites have weathered. The following stories demonstrate elements of Albion's ... Read More

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Clearing the Way for Albion’s Next Chapter

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.”

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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.”

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