Shares his vision for projects in 2024
By Barb Pert Templeton
As 2023 comes to a close Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis agreed to share some of his thoughts on things accomplished in the city this past year and where things are headed in 2024.
Blue Water Healthy Living posed a number of questions to Gillis and here are his answers in a Q&A format.
Blue Water Healthy Living: What do you feel were some of the accomplishments for Algonac in 2023?
Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis: Dog Park Brick Paver Program. First quilt block installation in St. Clair County was in Algonac. Adoption of new special events ordinance to improve safety and security of event attendees and participants. Secured $455,240 Drinking Water Asset Management Grant from EGLE to check for lead in drinking water lines. Completed Golfview Road and water main replacement program. Installed security updates at city facilities. Applied for and received a $400,000 grant from the Revitalization and Placement Program for the new Lions Field Community Swimming Pool. Purchased the former Algonac Elementary School, which had been for sale for over 7 years. Held first very successful TouchATruck Event with Algonac Alive on August 1. Completion of the SAW grant, which allowed us to map 95 percent of our storm and sanitary sewers and identify areas of concern that need to be addressed with future capital projects.
Mayor Rocky Gillis chairing a regular meeting of the city council on Dec. 4, 2023.
BWHL: What has been the most challenging aspect of being mayor this past year?
Gillis: It has been most challenging to see national companies like Fifth Third Bank, Huntington Bank and now Rite Aid that were once important community, close their doors.
BWHL: Is there a project that came to fruition in 2023 that you are most proud of?
Gillis: I am proud of our recent purchase of the former Algonac Elementary School. For over seven years we waited for the market to produce a buyer with a unique development proposal but that never happened. The closing is December 18. The first thing we will be doing is cleaning up the exterior and removing the old fencing and playground equipment. After that, city council will be investigating possible next steps.
A “Miles with the Mayor” program was launched last June which welcomed residents to stop by city hall and then take a walk around the city with the mayor.
BWHL: Can you share two issues that you feel residents are most concerned with heading into the New Year? Briefly state how the council can address those issues.
Gillis: First and foremost, residents are anxious to see the new community swimming pool at Lions Field started. The city has received $700,000 in grants so far and is waiting to hear about one other grant that could be for up to $1.4 million. That grant announcement is expected in December 2023. It is anticipated that after the holidays the city council will be in a position to discuss the future of the pool. The second issue would be to address the future of the school.
BWHL: What’s on your “to do list” for 2024 in terms of improving things for the city and its residents.
Gillis: Installation of new electrical power at Smith Recreation Park that will help our community events and support bringing in more food trucks. Adding public restrooms to the Riverfront Park. Aggressively seeking to fill the vacancies left by Fifth Third Bank, Huntington Bank and Rite Aid. One tool we are implementing to fill these vacancies is a new ordinance that will require owners of vacant property to register and pay an annual fee to the city every year the property remains vacant. This ordinance is designed to encourage property owners to not embrace the status quo and to consider immediate implementation of a plan to revitalize the property.
