New Housing Targets Young Professionals
and College Students
Two former historic buildings are slated for renovation as part of a major redevelopment project announced by the Genesee County Land Bank Authority. The project will receive assistance from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in partnership with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The vacant, eight-story Durant Hotel will see a $23 million renovation and be converted to 109 two-bedroom apartments with retail and office space on the lower floors. The former Berridge Hotel, located one block west of the Durant Hotel, will be redeveloped into 20 affordable housing and commercial units while the adjacent Tinlin Building will be redeveloped into four apartment units. The Berridge Hotel is expected to be complete by the end of 2008. The Durant Hotel is currently in the first phase of construction with completion expected in 2010.
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Student Housing a Success at University of Michigan-Flint
The University of Michigan-Flint recently completed construction on the first student housing project on the campus; a 310-bed project featuring 2- and 4-bedroom suites. The $21.3 million project is located at the corner of South Chavez and First Street in downtown Flint. Campus officials announced that the response for new student housing has been overwhelming with more than 200 students currently on a waiting list.
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Uptown Developments, LLC is Giving the “500 Block” in Downtown Flint a New Look
The “500 Block” in downtown Flint has a new look as construction is winding down with three major redevelopment projects – the Rowe Incorporated Headquarters, the Community Foundation Building, and the Wade Trim project. All three projects are being developed by Uptown Developments, LLC a partnership between Uptown Reinvestment Corporation and local business owners. The entire block located along S. Saginaw Street between First and Second Streets, will soon have a fresh look along with new restaurants, nightclubs, offices, a pedestrian plaza and increased traffic!
For more information about the “500 Block” redevelopment projects contact Uptown Developments, LLC at (810) 238-5555. |
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Third Avenue Has Big Plans Riding on It
Construction will soon be completed on the Third Avenue enhancements which will turn this four lane road into a well-landscaped link between downtown Flint and Kettering University. Soon to be renamed University Boulevard, the project is a catalyst project for the renewal of the University District along Flint River. Grassy medians dividing traffic, wide lanes that will better
accommodate bicycles, improved crosswalks, new greenery and special lighting will help create a college-town ambiance between the University of Michigan-Flint and Kettering University campuses. The project complements the recent groundbreaking for UM-Flint’s first student housing and other cleanup and renovation projects in the area including Atwood Stadium, new in-fill
housing, renovation of the Berridge Hotel into condominiums, and the anticipated redevelopment of the Durant Hotel into housing for students. The Third Avenue project was funded with $2.4 million in federal money and enhancement funding through MDOT.
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Cultivating Our Community Project IS BloomING |
 With the help of 40 businesses and organizations, 21 public gateways, park entrances, and traffic triangles are now “blooming” as part of the Cultivating Our Community project sponsored by Keep Genesee County Beautiful, Ruth Mott Applewood, and the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Cultivating Our Community project is a collaborative effort to develop a planned and coordinated approach to beautify Flint and Genesee County and set higher standards for the visual landscape of the community. Funded by the Ruth Mott Foundation, the project will "brand" beautification using a plant palette which will provide uniformity and year round color throughout the community. For more information on the project including the Cultivating Our Community Plant Palette and "How-to" Manuals for businesses, residents, and neighborhood block clubs go to www.CultivatingOurCommunity.org
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| Uptown Reinvestment Corporation |
| Board Members: |
The Uptown Reinvestment Corporation mission is to: |
Inez Brown
David Doherty
Lewis Driskell
Greg Fiedler
Loyst Fletcher
Stuart Forsyth
Bob Kittel
Sam Harris
Tim Herman
Claude High
Kathi Horton
Marvin Jennings
Todd M. Johnson
Dan Kildee
James Rutherford
Barbara Veasley |
- Bring together all downtown interests, including government, education, business, and charitable institutions in a broad-based coalition
- Support existing businesses and encourage entrepreneurial business development in the downtown Flint business district
- Enhance the public infrastructure and improve aesthetics
- Increase downtown residency
- Develop downtown into an attractive area for business, employment, and entertainment
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