By Maggie LaNoue
Contributing Writer
March 19, 2020
The Albion Economic Development Corporation hosted Albion’s 2020 Economic Forecast Thursday, March 5, at the Marriott Courtyard in downtown Albion.
This presentation consisted of three parts, that were covered in a series of articles in The Recorder newspaper. The first part of the series was about keynote speaker for Albion’s 2020 Economic Forecast was Jim Robey, Ph.D., of W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
See that article here:
https://albionmich.net/foreshadow_virus_impact/
The second part of Albion’s 2020 Economic Forecast event was about the City of Albion. Mayor Dave Atchison and Police Chief Scott Kipp presented the slides and discussed them. They reviewed the recent upgrades in lighting, the condition of the roads, and increases in the rates for wastewater.
There will be a 1.25 million dollar Irwin Avenue road project from April to July. Thanks in part to Knauf Insulation Plant’s contributions, Clark Street will have improvements. North Street will have a 1 million dollar reconstruction.
Improvements that happened or are coming in the city include commissions for Albion’s Recreation, Arts, restoration of the Coca-Cola mural, and more work coming for Holland Park.
Police Chief Scott Kipp, who served as Albion’s Interim City Manager for much of 2019, described some new equipment that will assist with heating the black patches for the roads. He explained the desperate need for the increase of the water rate of 7% increase per year that will amount to a 40% increase of Albion residents’ water bill after five years for clarifier repairs. There will also be a need to address the drinking water situation.
Mayor Atchison explained that although there is $430,000 in a fund for sidewalk improvements, the funds will not cover every sidewalk. The City council will establish a commission with representatives from each precinct to decide how to spread out the work to maximize the benefits to all neighborhoods in the greater community.
Working with MDOT, several of Albion’s streets will go on a “road diet” to narrow the traffic to two lanes and a center. Other progress in Albion includes the demolition of the remaining Union Steel building, working with the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority.
Health and wellness advances in Albion include a new City Ordinance against vaping by minors, a new ordinance regulating collection bins, the opening of the Express Care After-Hours, and several work sessions to clean streets, and a Community-Unity Service Day.
Improvements that happened or are coming in the city include commissions for Albion’s Recreation, Arts, restoration of the Coca-Cola mural, and more work coming for Holland Park.
The Code Enforcement enhancement is still on the table as well.
Economic Incentives for the City of Albion include an approved Brownfield Plan for the Peabody Building; this includes 404, 408, and 412 S. Superior Street. EPA’s Brownfields Program provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, tribes, and others to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties. The Brownfield Plan will renovate three buildings and create seven new residential units. The project will involve 2.7 million in capital investment, 3.7 in State of Michigan Revitalization Grants, and 2.5 million in Tax Capture.
Plans for the near future in Albion include a total of eight Brownfield Plans in the downtown district, with $19 million capital investment, to provide for the renovation of 18 buildings, 29 commercial spaces, and 73 residential units. The City of Albion, the Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce, and others will roll out Phase II of the branding strategy later in 2020. They will also establish Neighborhood Enterprise Zones for Austin Ave., and Eaton Street. Neighborhood Enterprise Zones provide for the development and rehabilitation of residential housing located within eligible distressed communities.
There are also plans to develop local ordinances to encourage small or moderate grocery and retail stores.
The Brownfield Plan will renovate three buildings and create seven new residential units. The project will involve 2.7 million in capital investment, 3.7 in State of Michigan Revitalization Grants, and 2.5 million in Tax Capture.
Project Rising Tide
Other highlights include the fact that Albion is now Redevelopment Ready Certification. It has a new branding strategy that was accomplished as part of Project Rising Tide with Phase I implementation of the branding accomplished.
There was a planned Project Rising Tide graduation and Redevelopment Ready Community Certification celebration scheduled to take place on Monday, March 23, at the Ludington Center, that has since been cancelled due to the coronavirus social distancing orders. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation will be acknowledging Albion’s accomplishment as the 38th community certified as a Redevelopment Ready Community.
See more about the Project Rising Tide Albion report here:
The third part of the series of article was
Advanced Planning makes nearby Sheridan Township Future Home to Michigan’s Largest Field for Solar Power
click this link to access that article:
https://albionmich.net/sheridan_township_future_home_solar_field/
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OVERVIEW – Albion’s 2020 Economic Forecast includes surprises and unknowns – An Overview
SHERIDAN TOWNSHIP – Advanced Planning makes nearby Sheridan Township Future Home to Michigan’s Largest Field for Solar Power
CALHOUN COUNTY – W.E. Upjohn Institute Forecasts 2020 Foreshadowing Virus Impact
