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robk1982

Oct 26, 2008 1:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F-Misthebest (Post 3871731)

hey hows the population growth of Flint?

the downtown looks like it's doing really well from these renovation projects.

I believe the population for the 2000 Census was 124,000, and hopefully will stay above 110,000 for 2010. The downtown is doing great despite of the economy, unfortunately the same can't be said for a large majority of the neighborhoods.

robk1982

Oct 27, 2008 8:29 PM

http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/in...the_citys.html

Officials to announce renovation of Durant Hotel in Flint into apartment complex
by Ron Fonger | The Flint Journal
Monday October 27, 2008, 1:19 PM

FLINT, Michigan -- The city's historic Durant Hotel will be redeveloped, a $30-million investment that will turn the downtown landmark into a renovated apartment complex, an East Lansing developer and the Genesee County Land Bank are expected to announce Tuesday.

County Treasurer Daniel T. Kildee, chairman of the Land Bank, confirmed today that the project will go forward and is expected to be completed by this time next year.

Plans are for the building to be redeveloped into more than 100 apartments, aimed at college students and professionals who work in or near the downtown area.

Kildee, officials from a new limited liability company that will own the building, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Ford Foundation are among those expected to make the announcement official Tuesday from inside what was once Flint's grandest hotel.

"For 53 years, that building was the symbol of Flint's ascendancy... . It was the place to be," Kildee said. "For the last 35 years it's been sitting there ... a symbol of Flint's decline."

Kildee said a renovated Durant could again mirror the changing fortunes of the city's downtown, which has seen millions in new investments in recent years.

The announcement that the Durant will be redeveloped does not come as a complete surprise.

Interior demolition started in June, work the county said had to be done whether it decided to demolish or help redevelop the Durant.

Last year, the Land Bank created a holding company to push the project forward and signed a pre-development contract with Karp & Associates.

But officials said it was impossible to make the project work without arranging millions in public and private financing to subsidize and provide start-up costs.

Opened in 1920, the Durant closed in 1973 and has been the subject of several failed redevelopment proposals in the past. The Land Bank purchased the building in 2005 with plans to demolish or redevelop it rather than allowing for its continued deterioration.

Kildee said the sale to 607 E. Second Avenue LLC will be for a little more than $500,000, a price that will allow the agency to get back all the money that it has spent on the job.

LMich

Oct 28, 2008 2:20 AM

They expect it to only take a year to fully renovate it? That's really kind of amazing.

It's great to hear them make this official.

robk1982

Oct 28, 2008 5:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMich (Post 3878812)

They expect it to only take a year to fully renovate it? That's really kind of amazing.

It's great to hear them make this official.

Well, they've been doing interior demo work for a few months now (since June I think), but a year from now is still pretty quick. Think it'll be done before the Rowe Building?

robk1982

Dec 1, 2008 5:29 PM

Finally some news (kind of) on the Riverfront Character Inn.

http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/in..._studying.html

Quote:

Crim officials still studying deal to buy Character Inn
by Ron Fonger | The Flint Journal
Monday December 01, 2008, 7:00 AM

FLINT, Michigan -- Seven months after signing a purchase agreement to buy the former Hyatt Regency Hotel, Crim Fitness Foundation officials still haven't sealed the deal and can't say for certain what will happen to the troubled property.

Gerald S. Myers, chief executive officer of the Crim Fitness Foundation, said the nonprofit group still has an option to purchase the 16-story building but has not reached a final decision based on its feasibility study.

"The economy is a scary thing for everyone. It's no different for what we're trying to do," Myers said of the deal. "We don't want to move in and not have it be sustainable."

The foundation hopes to make a final decision within the next 60 days -- far in advance of its year-long option to purchase, according to Myers.

It has promoted a multi-purpose use for the building, including convention space, hotel services, retail and a "center of excellence in the area of health and fitness."

Meanwhile, the president and founder of the Institute in Basic Life Principles, which owns the building, said he believes the sale will go through as planned.

"I hope and pray nothing goes wrong," said Bill Gothard, leader of the IBLP, which operated the building as the Character Inn before the sale.

The institute operated programs and hosted some events at the inn, which forbid smoking, alcohol and music with a rock beat.

Gothard said he's had to turn away at least two other offers for the building since signing the purchase agreement with the Crim, including one for more money.

Neither side in the potential sale has disclosed a purchase price or other details of the purchase agreement.

"I'd be surprised if they didn't pull it together. I'm counting on that," Gothard said.

Myers said "no one has said no" about completing the sale and said "all those options (for use of the building) are on the table."

The effort to create a center for health excellence --Â focused on prevention of childhood obesity --Â could make Flint a focal point for a movement that would attract interest and visitors from around the country, Myers said, comparing it to Flint's old community education program.

"You have to have the whole village coming together" to do that, Myers said.

The institute spent several years trying to sell the former hotel after buying and renaming it in 2000.

Jerry Preston, president of the Flint Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, said he believes the sale will be completed because the riverfront property remains a downtown centerpiece.

"I've always been told the decision will be made in January," said Preston, who favors using the building as a hotel in the long-term even if it has to be used for some other purpose --Â such as student housing --Â in the short term.

robk1982

Dec 12, 2008 4:52 AM

HealthPlus says it won't move headquarters from Flint Township to downtown Flint afte

http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/in...nt_move_h.html

Quote:

HealthPlus says it won't move headquarters from Flint Township to downtown Flint after all
by Joe Lawlor | The Flint Journal
Wednesday December 10, 2008, 4:40 PM

FLINT, Michigan -- HealthPlus of Michigan won't be moving from Flint Township to downtown Flint after all.

David Crosby, chief executive officer of HealthPlus, had said in September that the insurance company was mulling the move, and one of the sites under consideration would be the surface parking lot on South Saginaw Street just south of the University of Michigan-Flint pavilion.

In a written statement released Wednesday, Crosby said the move is "not feasible at this time." He also left the door open for a later move to downtown.

With 400 employees, HealthPlus would have been a major boon to downtown. But the move also would have left a high-profile vacant building in neighboring Flint Township.

"While HealthPlus remains financially solid due to its conservative approach to operations and investments, such a major commitment would be less than prudent in today's uncertain economic environment.

As conditions improve, we may again consider a similar project," wrote Crosby, who declined to be interviewed.

Downtown Flint has seen a major influx in new investment recently, including the addition of the Wade Trim building, Community Foundation of Greater Flint and Rowe Engineering.

Crosby had previously said one of the sticking points was being able to sell the HealthPlus Flint Township building on South Linden Road at a reasonable price. The mortgage crisis has depressed the values of many buildings.

Tracey Tucker, Flint Township's economic enhancement, said she's met with HealthPlus leaders a few times, concerned that they would leave the township. She said HealthPlus was not aware of all the tax breaks they could receive for being a non-profit organization.

"We're glad that they're staying," Tucker said.

Phil Shaltz of Uptown Developments, which has spearheaded downtown development, said while the HealthPlus news was unfortunate, there's still a lot of new businesses coming to downtown.

He said he expects there will be two new restaurant announcements in the near future, and there's also interest in more companies locating downtown.

"Obviously, we have to respect HealthPlus' position in the economic times that we're in," Shaltz said. "They or someone else will be back when the debt market stabilizes."

Shaltz said he believes HealthPlus wanted to move to downtown, and it's encouraging that it was only the weak economy that stopped the move.

Councilman Jim Ananich said he was excited about the possibility of HealthPlus being in downtown.

"It's too bad," Ananich said. "The council and the mayor have been working to make the business climate better for downtown. Maybe when the economy picks up again they'll be back."

robk1982

Dec 12, 2008 5:06 AM

subterranean

Dec 12, 2008 5:14 AM

I'm pretty sure there was a ribbon cutting for the Berridge today.

LMich

Dec 12, 2008 5:29 AM

Good to see the Durant coming along. Kind of sad hearing that the possible move downtown by HealthPlus seems to be dead for the time being.

Rizzo

Dec 13, 2008 8:07 AM

Nice! I'll have to stop on by when I head up to Saginaw to visit the fam for the holidays.

robk1982

Dec 17, 2008 8:42 PM

Mott Foundation to buy Riverfront Character Inn

http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/in...y_riverfr.html

Quote:

Mott Foundation to buy Riverfront Character Inn in downtown Flint; What do you think?
by David Harris | The Flint Journal
Wednesday December 17, 2008, 10:00 AM

FLINT, Michigan -- The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is stepping in to buy the Riverfront Character Inn, a surprise shift in ownership for the former hotel some call key to revitalizing downtown Flint.

The Mott Foundation -- with its deep pockets -- is taking over the purchase from the Crim Fitness Foundation, which originally signed a purchase agreement to buy the building in April but had not been able to close the deal on the troubled property in the seven months since.

There is no timeline as to when the deal will be closed, but Mott officials said it would be in the near future. The purchase price for the potential sale has not been disclosed.

"Given the fact that the (purchase agreement) deadline was approaching, we felt it was important to step in and ensure the fact that (the building) was preserved," said Phillip Peters, group vice president of administration and secretary/treasurer of the Mott Foundation. "It's clear at this point that the Crim Foundation wasn't in position to exercise the deal."

In the agreement announced this morning, the Crim Fitness Foundation transferred to the Mott Foundation its option to buy.

The former Hyatt Regency Hotel sits just blocks away from the Mott Foundation's storied headquarters on South Saginaw Street.

Gerald S. Myers, CEO of the Crim Fitness Foundation, said his foundation still will play a vital role in deciding what will be done with the building that sits next to the Flint River.

"We should all feel fortunate that the C.S. Mott Foundation stepped up and is looking to buy the building," he said.

The Crim foundation is completing a feasibility study that would decide how to use the building, but has promoted a multipurpose use including convention space, hotel services, retail and a "center of excellence in the area of health and fitness."

"I don't know of a successful downtown that doesn't have a successful meeting space, convention space hotel," said Jerry Preston, president of the Flint Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It's kind of an element that we are missing right now."

Tim Herman, chief executive officer of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, said it doesn't matter which organization buys the building, just as long as it gets preserved.

"I think that anytime that an organization like the Mott Foundation can step in and perserve the building, it's a good thing," he said.

The 16-story hotel opened in 1981 with 369 rooms as a Hyatt Regency.

From 1991-97, it was part of the Radisson hotel chain, and it later became afiliated with Ramada in 1999.

In 2000, the Institute in Basic Life Principles bought the building and hosted some events at the inn, which didn't allow smoking, alcohol or rock music.

But, it has been trying for years to sell the building.

Bill Gothard, the president and founder of the institute, could not be reached for comment.

LMich

Dec 18, 2008 7:16 AM

Excellent news. I feel very comfortable with the Mott Foundation owning it. At least we know that they have the money to seriously make this hotel work, if they want to.

Rizzo

Dec 18, 2008 8:45 PM

It's a really nice building. Glad to hear something wll be done with it.

robk1982

Dec 19, 2008 5:44 AM

I do think a multipurpose use is the best idea for the hotel, kind of like the Radisson in Kalamazoo. Hopefully they can get 1 or 2 restaurants and a drug store/small shop in there, along with the fitness center and convention space.

LMich

Dec 19, 2008 10:49 AM

It's funny they keep calling it 16 stories. It's really only 15, but they don't count the 13th floor as such. Anyway, after reading a few other articles on the deal, it kind of sounds like the Crim couldn't find the money to put up up front to buy the thing. But, it also sounds like the Mott Foundation is simply going to purchase it and let the Crim work out any redevelopment plans.

By-the-way, I was surprised this didn't get posted. It seems that the current owners are trying to hold up the sell of the Genesee Towers to the City of Flint:

Quote:

Flint's attempt to take over crumbling Genesee Towers put on hold

by Joe Lawlor | The Flint Journal
Monday December 08, 2008, 8:23 PM

This story has been updated.
Steve Jessmore | Flint Journal filesGenesee Towers (right) stands next to the Mott Foundation Building in downtown Flint.

FLINT, Michigan -- Just when it seemed like the city would become the owners of downtown eyesore Genesee Towers, the building has become mired in more court action.

If and when the city does take possession of the 1960s-era building, city leaders say they will demolish it.

The latest delay? The Michigan Appeals Court agreed to hear the appeal by Genesee Towers owners Sasikala and Kumar Vemulapalli. The appeals court issued a stay order on Genesee Circuit Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut's September decision to grant possession to the city.

"Everything Judge Neithercut decided has been put on hold. The frustrating thing is that the building sits in limbo," said City Attorney Trachelle Young.
Flint Journal extras

Young said the city hadn't yet started paperwork to transfer the title from Vemulapalli to the city when the court issued a stay on Oct. 10.

There's been a flurry of court motions and time extensions since then and there's no indication when the appeals court would hear the case.

Ed Draugelis, Vemulapalli's attorney, couldn't be reached for comment on Monday.

Julie Prince, co-owner of the Brown Sugar Cafe in downtown Flint, said she was hoping it wouldn't take long to demolish the building.

"Wonderful," Prince said sarcastically when hearing the news. "It seems like it's been forever since it's been vacant (2002). We need to make downtown look really good, and that eyesore sticks right out."

Larry Ford, the city's Downtown Development Authority director, said he wasn't surprised that the city didn't immediately become the owner.

"It's too bad, because the judge's decision was just what we needed for downtown," Ford said.

The 19-story building is Flint's tallest, and at one time housed banks and a restaurant.

Vemulapalli and the city have been fighting in court over it since 2001. The vacant building has been cited for numerous code violations, and there are barricades around it to protect pedestrians from falling debris.

In a sign that Genesee Towers could be there for a while, the City Council on Monday canceled the rental contract for the barricades and agreed to spend $30,000 to purchase barricades.

Neithercut had ordered in September that the city should immediately pay Vemulapalli $1.5 million and take possession of the building. Any additional money paid to Vemulapalli would be worked out in mediation or the courts, Neithercut ruled.

The city had appealed to Neithercut an earlier ruling by an arbitrator granting Vemulapalli $6 million for the building.

Young said she's optimistic the appeals court will eventually side with Neithercut, but Councilman Scott Kincaid said he believes the city will be on the hook for $6 million because judges are reluctant to overturn the work of an arbitrator.

"I think the whole case was mishandled from the very beginning," Kincaid said.

I must say, I've lost total patience with the current owner, and have absolutely no sympathy for them. I'm tired of Michigan's squatting speculators. It's about time someone took them on.

robk1982

Dec 19, 2008 3:14 PM

The owners of Genesee Towers are jerks, but the city has done itself no favors in this whole mess either (appraising the building for $6million).

BTW, the Berridge officially opened yesterday.

http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/in...s_as_reno.html

Quote:

Berridge Hotel reopens as renovated Berridge Place loft apartments in Flint
by Ron Fonger | The Flint Journal
Thursday December 18, 2008, 11:11 AM

FLINT, Michigan -- The former Berridge Hotel reopened today as Berridge Place loft apartments after a $6 million renovation that supporters say could boost the entire neighborhood on the edge of downtown.

"When we can collectively come up with a vision (like this), Flint has hope," said Michael Freeman, senior program officer for Local Initiatives Support Corp., one of 18 organizations tied to financing the project.

Construction crews have transformed the 1928 Berridge into 17 apartments and added four more in the next-door Tinlin House.

Rent for the apartments starts at about $750 monthly.

Once a 100-bed hotel that promoted itself as a home-like place to stay, the Berridge slid into disrepair in recent years before it was purchased by the Genesee County Land Bank in 2006.

DeBaliviere

Dec 19, 2008 7:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robk1982 (Post 3983284)

The owners of Genesee Towers are jerks

I really enjoyed Sasikala and Kumar Go to White Castle.

LMich

Dec 20, 2008 5:33 AM

In Flint, it'd be "Sasikala and Kumar go to Halo Burger". :)

http://www.haloburger.com/main/image...gateway_01.jpg http://www.haloburger.com/main/image...gateway_02.jpg

Rizzo

Dec 20, 2008 8:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeBaliviere (Post 3983826)

I really enjoyed Sasikala and Kumar Go to White Castle.

I was wondering when this would eventually be tied in LOL!

robk1982

Dec 29, 2008 4:19 PM

http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/in...we_buildi.html

Quote:

Owners of downtown Rowe building seeking federal loan to keep project on track
by Joe Lawlor | The Flint Journal
Monday December 22, 2008, 10:32 AM

FLINT, Michigan -- Owners of the future Rowe Inc. building in downtown are asking for a lifeline from the federal government to keep the project from stalling.

The project to renovate several South Saginaw Street structures into one office building suffered a major setback when a wall collapsed in August 2007. And the cost of the project ballooned from $13 million to $20 million.

The developer is asking for a $3.3 million loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Without it or some other funding source, the project would be in jeopardy, said Phil Shaltz, a partner for Uptown Developments, which owns the building that will house Rowe.

"It's critical that we get this funding," Shaltz said.

Shaltz said the HUD loan would be for 20 years, and likely would be at a lower interest rate than could be found on the market. He said securing financing in the private market is difficult due to the weak economy.

"It's hard to get money for a car loan right now, never mind something like this," Shaltz said.

The Flint City Council this week voted to allow Uptown to apply for the loan.

"I didn't want to see this project fail," said Councilman Scott Kincaid.

Shaltz said with that hurdle cleared, Uptown has a "pretty good chance" to secure funding.

Once the building is completed next spring or summer, about 110 Rowe employees would move in and Rowe would pay rent to Uptown. Eight loft apartments also are being constructed.

The loan also needs the approval of Mayor Don Williamson, who said he is "100 percent" in favor of it.

"Look at what Uptown has done for this city," Williamson said. "They are a first-class operation. I'm with them all the way."

Earlier this year, Williamson had expressed opposition to tax breaks for Uptown, but he ultimately reversed course and approved the incentives.

John Matonich, president and chief executive officer of Rowe, said the company believes the new financing plan "makes sense."

"Hindsight being crystal clear, many folks would have advocated building a new building rather than renovation," Matonich said. "But once it's done, it will be a beautiful new building in downtown."

If all goes well, employees would move into their new downtown offices about two years after they were originally scheduled to move in. The company moved from Mundy Township to the Genesee Business Center in Flint last year as a temporary location while waiting for the new building to be completed.

Matonich said despite the cost overruns the lease with Uptown remains the same. He declined to reveal how much Rowe would pay Uptown to lease the building.

Plans to revitalize downtown are ongoing despite the downturn in the economy. Downtown has recently seen the completion of the new Wade Trim and Community Foundation of Greater Flint buildings. Berridge Place apartments, the former Berridge Hotel, has also been renovated, and Shaltz said he expects two new downtown restaurants will be announced in January.

"We're still seeing some pretty good momentum downtown," Shaltz said.

:drowning: :gaah: - That's all I have to say.

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