Flint development news

[LMich]

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]

Originally Posted by LMich

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]

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


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

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]

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

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."