Flint development news

[robk1982]

http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-mi...r_grill_i.html

Newly expanded 501 Bar & Grill in Flint 'should be up and running by mid-April,' general manager says

By Jeremy Allen | [email protected]
on March 18, 2013 at 6:30 PM, updated March 20, 2013 at 1:22 PM

FLINT, MI – According to 501 Bar & Grill managing partner Phil Shaltz, the restaurant had to turn away more than 70 potential customers over St. Patrick’s Day weekend due to limited seating.

The high demand for 501, coupled with the slim dinner crowd at the adjoining Wizeguys, ultimately lead to the March 18 announcement that Wizeguys Pizza would permanently close its doors to allow for the expansion of 501 Bar & Grill.

“What we noticed downtown is that 501’s problem is that it’s not a steady stream of customers. On Friday and Saturday of this past week, we probably turned away 70 or 80 customers because we don’t have space, but at that same time Wizeguys is virtually vacant,” he said.

It's great 501 needs to be expanded, but I'll miss Wize Guys.

[robk1982]

Other Flint updates:

Table & Tap is open, but only the bar. I'm hoping the kitchen opens in the next week so I can check it out soon

Einstein's Brothers Bagels is open at Kettering University. I might swing by tomorrow morning.

Demo work is well underway at the site of the new Genesys Urgent Care downtown. The facade of the building was almost completely torn off the last time I was down there. I'll try to get pics tomorrow.

[LMich]

Originally Posted by robk1982

http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-mi...me_down_b.html

I know that options have been limited by circumstances, but it won't be any sadder than to city a city lose its tallest building. That's exceedingly rare, but, then again, Flint is an exceedingly rare case as cities go.

[robk1982]

I've heard from an "inside source" that they are going to implode Genesee Towers. They will likely take apart the top few floors piece by piece, but then BOOM!

I think we should have a SSP get-together if that actually happens.

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by robk1982

I've heard from an "inside source" that they are going to implode Genesee Towers. They will likely take apart the top few floors piece by piece, but then BOOM!

I think we should have a SSP get-together if that actually happens.

I will totally travel there for that!!

[uaarkson]

I'll be there if my trip to Japan doesn't interfere.

[robk1982]

Site of the new Genesys Urgent Care:



The renovated building at Kettering that houses Einstein Brother's Bagels and a Flint Police Service Center



Not sure what this is going to be. Cheysa Studio?

[robk1982]

Originally Posted by uaarkson

I'll be there if my trip to Japan doesn't interfere.

I'll be out of the country in late July.......hope I don't miss it.

[robk1982]

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/inde...l#incart_river

Discussions take place on potential sale of Flint's Atwood Stadium to Kettering University

By Roberto Acosta | [email protected]
on April 01, 2013 at 6:30 PM, updated April 01, 2013 at 9:25 PM

FLINT, MI – Discussions are taking place on a potential sale of Atwood Stadium to Kettering University, but no formal agreement has been made.

Genesee County Circuit Judge Duncan Beagle, chairman of the Atwood Stadium Authority, said while speculation on social media about the stadium already being sold is “absolutely false,” he stated talks have occurred regarding a potential transaction.

I'm not exactly sure WHY Kettering needs to own Atwood, but if it helps to clean the University Ave. corridor up, then I'm all for it.

[Rizzo]

I seriously hope that if Kettering does go through with a deal, they will not replace Atwood with something else, but hopefully upgrade facilities and become a recreational part of campus.

I played high school football playoff game there once. Such a cool experience, I mean to be playing in front of maybe 1000 people in an 11,000 seat stadium lol.

[robk1982]

Whatever their plan is, they're getting serious about cleaning up the area. They just bought 25 more properties.

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/inde...l#incart_river

Kettering University purchases 25 additional properties to rejuvenate campus area

By Roberto Acosta | [email protected]
on April 03, 2013 at 6:00 PM, updated April 03, 2013 at 7:16 PM

FLINT, MI -- Kettering University is snapping up property around its Flint campus from the Genesee County Land Bank Authority, clearing vacant structures and creating a land link that extends all the way to Flint's Historic Atwood Stadium.

The university has bought 25 lots following its purchase of 25 parcels from the Genesee County Land Bank in September 2012. School officials have expressed an interest in several dozen other sites.
....

[LMich]

A part of me thinks that this is absolutely necessary, but another part of me cringes at large-scale land clearing in the middle of urban areas. Lansing Community College is doing something similar on the northern edge of downtown Lansing with the difference being that they were actually kicking tenants out of historic housing to create a "landscaped entrance" to the campus. So, I get a little nervous when I hear about a "land link" for colleges. What this often means is suburbanizing the area including the street grid by merging lots and vacating streets and such creating superblocks.

I hope Kettering does well by its neighbors. Perhaps, if I saw a map of the area they are talking about, I could have a better idea of what's being proposed.

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by LMich

A part of me thinks that this is absolutely necessary, but another part of me cringes at large-scale land clearing in the middle of urban areas. Lansing Community College is doing something similar on the northern edge of downtown Lansing with the difference being that they were actually kicking tenants out of historic housing to create a "landscaped entrance" to the campus. So, I get a little nervous when I hear about a "land link" for colleges. What this often means is suburbanizing the area including the street grid by merging lots and vacating streets and such creating superblocks.

I hope Kettering does well by its neighbors. Perhaps, if I saw a map of the area they are talking about, I could have a better idea of what's being proposed.

It's maybe 2 dozen or so houses that are in that potential development zone. Last time I went through the area was in really rough shape. I don't know how much of those homes are family owned, bank owned or held by a major landlord. Either case, probably willing to unload. If Kettering wants to build some nice campus on the banks of the Flint River I'm 100% for that. No way that area could ever see a rebound under its current land use. The homes are in too rough of shape to be rehabilitated.

[LMich]

It looks to be a done deal, now:

Genesee Towers expected to be imploded in July

By Jeremy Allen | MLive.com

April 23, 2013

FLINT, MI – The city's tallest building is expected to be imploded into a pile of rubble this July.

Tim Herman, president of Uptown Reinvestment Corp., said plans are for Genesee Towers to be imploded either Sunday, July 21, or Sunday, July 28.

...

Herman said that Uptown put the project out for bids some time ago, but there has been no contract signed with a company to do the implosion as of yet.

...

I'm still a bit confused/off put even after reading the story. Uptown is not going this out of the goodness of their hearts, and it sounds like to me they are using the demolition as the project to apply for the federal tax credit dollar for the rest of the downtown developments, but nothing else seems planned beyond the demolition save for the fact that whoever the contrator is will be assured a pay day. The "urban plaza" isn't even designed, yet.

Meh, hopefully, they'll be good for their word and pump that money back into the plans for downtown. There is just so much being left to chance that it makes me question motives.

[Rizzo]

I am marking my calendar and will most definitely be in attendance!

[robk1982]

Originally Posted by hayward

i am marking my calendar and will most definitely be in attendance!

i'll be out of the country!!!! Noooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[uaarkson]

July 21st is my birthday. This would be a bittersweet gift.

[robk1982]

http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-mi...l#incart_river

Lack of financing stalls Genesee Towers implosion; building won't come down before Crim races

By Jeremy Allen | [email protected]
Follow on Twitter
on June 07, 2013 at 6:50 PM, updated June 07, 2013 at 7:26 PM

LINT, MI – Genesee Towers won’t be imploded before the Crim on Aug. 24 as previously announced by Uptown Reinvestment Corp., the group that purchased the building from the city of Flint for $1 in August 2012.

Tim Herman, president of Uptown Reinvestment Corp. and CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, announced the organization’s plans to implode the city’s tallest structure by the summer festival of races in March.

Herman said that the reason for the delay is that Uptown has not yet secured all of the money needed for the project, and that has had an effect on how they have gone forward.

Previous estimates had the cost of demolition and rubble removal at approximately $4 million.

“It took us a little longer than expected to pull the funding together, which impacted our initial timeline for imploding the Genesee Towers,” he said. “Once we get past the annual events and festivities in August, we will be on track for September.”

.......

Yeah!!!! I'll be in town!

[uaarkson]

Flint (Un)Development News, lol

[Rizzo]

Guess I'll have to postpone my visit till the fall!