Flint development news - Page 7

robk1982 · #1 Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 3:19 PM**

Work continues on the Durant, and it looks like they have A LOT of work left.

Stage I Renovation continues at The Riverfront Residence Hall

Future Home of Raspberry's Rhythm Cafe & Bar (white building)

Wize Guy's Pizza and 501 Bar & Grill

Rowe Building

robk1982 · #2 Posted **Jun 26, 2009, 2:43 AM**

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/flint/i...ed_all_ey.html

An editorial from the Flint Journal

Quote:

Biogas project is inked: All eyes are now on Flint for all the right reasons
by The Flint Journal Editorial Board
Thursday June 25, 2009, 5:44 AM

The biogas project lives!

It's been a while since we've heard much of anything about progress in the Swedish biogas plant planned for Flint's wastewater treatment plant.

On Monday, the Flint City Council voted 6-1 to lock in an operating and development agreement with Swedish Biogas International, the private company that aims to make a clean and odorless fuel from human waste.

Construction may begin in August, with the plant producing biogas to heat the wastewater treatment plant by the end of the year.

It isn't quite time to uncross your fingers in the hope that this new technology really will use Flint as its toehold in North America.

But it indeed appears that Flint may be the first community on this continent to get a biogas plant up and operating.

The nation and this part of the world will look to Flint for expertise in this developing technology.

Boy, is that going to feel good.

With our idle workers, our skilled machinists and all of the expertise it took to make Flint a leader in making automobile for 100 years, we are in position to grow into a leader for making what makes cars run.

The second phase of the Flint biogas project aims to turn the gas into biomethane, a gas for powering motor vehicles. In Linkoping, Sweden, the home of Swedish Biogas, the taxis and buses run on the biofuel. Car drivers can buy the fuel at filling stations.

Here's the real promise of biogas: The Swedes have figured out how to make the stuff from almost anything. In Sweden, grasses are used to produce the fuel in some cases.

The promise of this new technology for Genesee County and Michigan cannot be overstated.

Hey, we can make anything, right?

So, let's make the gear, refine the processes, for growing and producing a fuel of the future for a world that desperately needs to break its crude oil habit.

As projects like this go, the biogas plant has unfolded at top speed.

And it fell smack-dab into Flint's lap.

It grew from Gov. Jennifer Granholm's economic development mission a few years ago to Sweden. It became a partnership of the city, Kettering University, the state and Swedish Biogas. The Mott Foundation and the federal government jumped on board. The city is working with Flint Township, where its treatment plant is located.

King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden visited Flint; biogas is a pet project of the benevolent monarch.

Then the grants came flooding in to fund the United State's first biogas plant. Flint will host the facility in unused buildings, but it apparently won't cost local governments a dime.

In fact, Flint could save as must as $3.5 million in fuel and heating costs in the first seven years of the biogas plant's operation. In their agreement, the city and Swedish Biogas will share revenue from the plant, 50-50.

That's a nice byproduct.

But the main event is this new technology, the new expertise that Kettering will develop and the offshoot, possibly automotive, industries that are bound to occur.

This time, all eyes are on Flint - for all of the right reasons.

robk1982 · #3 Posted **Jun 26, 2009, 1:27 PM**

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/inde...m_to_gain.html

Quote:

Flint's Atwood Stadium to gain new life as promoter signs on to bring events there; gospel show and college fest planned
by Dean Bohn | The Flint Journal
Thursday June 25, 2009, 2:25 PM

FLINT, Michigan -- Members of the Atwood Stadium Authority board say the historic attraction will have a fresh life as a new partner signed on today to promote it.

Board members unanimously agreed to enter an agreement with Stewardship Promotions -- a member of the Flint Area Convention and Visitors Bureau -- to manage and book events for the 10,000-seat outdoor stadium, 701 W. University.

Stewardship co-owner John Rhymes this afternoon announced some of the activities planned for the 80-year-old stadium, including two entertainment events already scheduled, and how advertising and sponsorship opportunities are now available for the stadium.

"The purpose of the Atwood Stadium Authority was to bring the stadium's infrastructure up to 21st Century standards," said Duncan Beagle, a member of the Authority. "We've done that. Now we need someone like Stewardship Promotions to manage the stadium, book events and help bring Atwood back to its glory days."

One of the planned events is a "Flint Celebration of Gospel" concert from 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, featuring the Christian group Tye Tribbett and GA, as well as the Flint City Wide Gospel Choir, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, the Rev. Daryl Coley and the William Brothers.

Another event is the "Celebration of Harvest" festival with Flint's college and university students from 5-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. The event is a show by area college fraternity and sorority members, a food taste event, local talent show, a free concert and fireworks.

In addition to bringing in events to Atwood, Stewardship Promotions will be responsible for scheduling all Atwood stadium events, such as high school football games, sport camps and other attractions.

"With Flint transforming from a factory town to college town, Atwood Stadium is the perfect place to help foster that transition because it's nestled between some of our major universities -- Kettering University and University of Michigan-Flint and Mott Community College," Rhymes said.

"We plan to have many events that cater to the students, but also we want programs that are family-friendly that people of all ages will enjoy."

Surprised they didn't mention the UM-Flint Football club that will begin playing at Atwood this fall.

LMich · #4 Posted **May 7, 2009, 6:02 AM**

I'd like to see Walling get a chance. From what little I've seen and researched on him, he seems completely genuine and not in this for the fame. That's not to say that Clack is, but Flint needs some young blood up top, you know, give Flint it's own Obama. lol

Quote:

Flint mayoral race could become west side story

by Joe Lawlor | The Flint Journal
Wednesday May 06, 2009, 10:54 PM

FLINT, Michigan -- Dayne Walling vows to win black votes in the north end.

Brenda Clack said she's going to campaign in Walling's white stronghold in the College Cultural District.

But the campaign for Flint's next mayor may be decided in the more racially mixed neighborhoods on the city's west side.

"I will be watching the Bradley Street area up to McLaren hospital," said Genesee County Clerk Michael Carr, a longtime election watcher. "That will be very interesting to see."

Walling and Clack were the top two winners in Tuesday's six-way mayoral primary to decide who would compete in the August general election.

Walling captured 44 percent of the vote, while Clack finished a distant second with 16 percent.

If the battle comes down to the west side, both campaigns have reason for hope.

Walling ran up big numbers on Tuesday in some parts of the west side, including Mott Park and the Corunna Road corridor.

But Clack lives on the west side and represented the area when she was a state representative.

Tuesday, she won the west side area north of Flushing Road, bordering the Flint Township line, and she tied Walling in the adjacent precinct to the east.

"I think the whole west side will be a swing district," Walling said.

Clack said she has been noticing that the west side is becoming more racially diverse.

Neighborhoods that used to be mostly white are now diverse, and vice versa.

But Clack said it's time to move past race-based campaigning.

"I don't want to make this campaign about race," Clack said. "We need to deal with the issues. I'm not going to single out a group and say, 'I'm going to serve you more.'"

Nevertheless, votes in Flint often break along racial lines.

Carr said he sees both candidates making inroads with voters of the other race.

"I think Walling will be able to pick up black votes," Carr said. "Conversely, I think Clack will appeal to some white voters. She is very well-known, liked and trusted."

Resident Sonia Latta, who is black and a Clack supporter, said so many people know her from her community activism and her roots as a teacher.

"She is going to take it all the way," Latta said. "She has a huge following.

Walling said he was proud to be competitive in a few black precincts that he targeted with extra door-to-door campaigning, phone calls and mailings. Walling ended up winning two black precincts, one on the north end and one on the south end.

"I wanted to prove that we could win African-American support even in a primary with five African-American candidates," Walling said. "I believe the voters in this city don't care about race or skin color."

In one black precinct off of Lapeer Road, near Perani Arena, Walling outpaced Clack by 30 votes.

Carr said the streets south of Lapeer Road in that precinct traditionally have featured homes where more affluent blacks live. He said Walling has strong appeal with higher-income residents.

Carr said money may also be a big factor. While Walling has proven to be a prolific fund-raiser, Carr said, Clack isn't as well-funded.

"Can she raise the money?" Carr said. "She never really needed a lot of money in her other races."

Walling spent $45,000, while Clack spent $11,000, according to pre-election reports filed with the county.

DeBaliviere · #5 Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 6:42 PM**

These pics are always appreciated.

That Raspberry's building is certainly goofy. Too bad the owner isn't exposing the original facade.

501 and Rowe look great though!

Rizzo · #6 Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 7:14 PM**

At least the black and white house scheme is a bit less noticeable than the colorful house scheme. Still, a really nice building lives beneath that facade.

robk1982 · #7 Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 7:57 PM**

I would think that with all the money floating around for projects downtown (from the DDA, Uptown, Mott), that the owner would be able to find some funds to get that facade taken care of.

LMich · #8 Posted **Jun 26, 2009, 9:57 AM**

Before I even read to the bottom I was thinking: "this is pretty much the direct result of Granholm's Swedish trip, huh?" It looks like some of these trips are finally starting to pay off in actual dollars. This really does seem like a perfect fit. I mean, if anyone's going to be able to refine this for autos in this country, it'll be Kettering.

robk1982 · #9 Posted **Jun 26, 2009, 1:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMich

Before I even read to the bottom I was thinking: "this is pretty much the direct result of Granholm's Swedish trip, huh?" It looks like some of these trips are finally starting to pay off in actual dollars. This really does seem like a perfect fit. I mean, if anyone's going to be able to refine this for autos in this country, it'll be Kettering.

The U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, Michael Wood, grew up in Flint so that's another reason why it's coming to Flint.

And I don't remember if I posted about this earlier, but the wastewater facility is in Flint Township, so when the news broke that this plant was coming, everyone seemed to forget that the City of Flint needed to apply to Flint Township for a building permit until some official from the Township said something like, "Well, we'll have to hold some meetings to discuss this and see what the impact will be" - lol. Most news stories now don't even mention the location of the plant, they'll just say "Flint's wastewater treatment plant".

LMich · #10 Posted **Jun 27, 2009, 4:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by robk1982

Most news stories now don't even mention the location of the plant, they'll just say "Flint's wastewater treatment plant".

That actually sounds like a very good thing, that they aren't making that distinction. It's way past time that Michigan's urban townships realized and accepted that they aren't competing against their respective cities, anymore, but the entire world.

robk1982 · #11 Posted **Jun 27, 2009, 8:59 PM**

http://blog.mlive.com/higher-educati..._universi.html

Quote:

Consultant recommends University of Michigan-Flint launch a seven-sport varsity program starting with basketball
Posted by Beata Mostafavi| Flint Journal June 26, 2009 16:15PM
Categories: Flint - News

FLINT, Michigan -- The University of Michigan-Flint could roll out a seven-sport varsity athletics program starting with men's and women's basketball, according to a consultant's feasibility report released Friday.

Next would be soccer, then baseball and softball and women's cross country, consultant Alden & Associates recommended in the report.

But launching such programs on campus for the first time could still be a couple of years away -- and the university would have to find a way to fund an annual estimated cost of $528,000 for all seven sports.

"The answer was yes, you can do varsity sports," said David Lossing, UM-Flint's director of government relations who led a commission that explored the idea of sports at UM-Flint.

"It would be a huge undertaking. You get one chance to do it right. We are the University of Michigan so we will do it the Michigan way and that might take a couple of years."

UM-Flint is the only public university (and one of the only four-year schools) in the state without an athletics program , so I'd say it's about time to start. Especially basketball - how can a city with such a storied basketball tradition not have a basketball team at its major university?

There is an club football team starting in the fall, so maybe we could see a varsity football team in the near future, too??

Rizzo · #12 Posted **Jun 27, 2009, 10:38 PM**

Ehhhh, 21st century standards? They have field turf yet?

Still remembering bloody elbows when I played football there in highschool.

robk1982 · #13 Posted **Jun 27, 2009, 11:10 PM**

If the football club turns into a varsity team, then I'm sure The University of Michigan would be more than willing to spend a few dollars to equip Atwood with state-of-the-art field turf.

robk1982 · #14 Posted **Jun 28, 2009, 3:33 AM**

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/inde...e_to_open.html

Quote:

Mott Community College to open $1 million entertainment technology center to train students for film jobs
by Beata Mostafavi| Flint Journal
Wednesday June 24, 2009, 6:30 PM

By Beata Mostafavi
[email protected] â€¢ 810.766.6210

FLINT -- Psst, Hollywood: We've got workers for you, coming soon in Flint.

Mott Community College officials hope to produce future editors, dubbers and gaffers on its campus, pouring nearly $1.1 million into a new entertainment technology facility to train students for jobs in Michigan's booming film industry.

Construction has started to transform the roughly 5,400 square-foot terrace of the Mott Memorial building and former studio of Flint television station WFUM into a film laboratory.

The college plans to use the facility for several new academic programs in the film field to be launched next year.

"If we can show the nation that we have a trained workforce that can help the film industry and that brings the film industry into Michigan, we will have an increased number of job opportunities here," said Larry Koehler, executive director of physical plant at MCC.

Administrators are hoping to offer students a degree program in entertainment technology, along with several specialized certificates that would prepare them for entry-level, behind-the-scenes jobs.

College officials are still designing the new curriculum, studying similar programs at other community colleges and universities in the state and in California, the Mecca of movie-making.

Koehler said it's likely that national producers will bring their own staff for photography and other key jobs. But editing, lighting, dubbing and some tech jobs may be filled locally.

Students could also use training for other types of media production jobs such as producing training videos or recording audio.

Several colleges have tried to get on the front lines of training for the growing film industry -- as Michigan's new tax incentives has made it one of the cheapest places in the country to make a film.

Earlier this year, MCC joined two other community colleges in the state to contract with TicTock Studios in Grand Rapids, which offered a series of classes in film set training at MCC's Workforce Education Center.

Leading classes was Hollywood producer Jeffrey Stott, who has partnered with Rob Reiner (director of "When Harry Met Sally") on his films.

Roughly 39 students took the classes in Flint and TicTock, which has offices in Michigan and California, helps students look for jobs afterwards.

TicTock's courses are for people who want to be production assistants or do grip and electrical work -- compared to the technician jobs the new MCC facility will train students for.

"With the film industry starting to boom in Michigan, we should have a trained crew so when production companies come to the state, there are enough people to work on the films," said Dori DePree, head of education outreach at TicTock. "They will look locally if the crew is here."

She said tax rebates are highest for companies that hire local staff.

And the state continues to seduce the film industry -- which spent about $126 million in Michigan in 2008 after the state began offering tax rebates of up to 42 percent on homegrown feature films and TV shows.

That compares to less than $4 million spent in 2007.

DePree pointed to states such as New Mexico and Louisiana that have offered similar tax breaks for more than five years and that reap billions of dollars from production companies.

"We hope the same thing can happen in Michigan," she said.

Scott Schlanhart, who plans to start school at Mott Community College in the fall and pursue some kind of job in the film industry, lauded the college for building an entertainment technology facility.

The Grand Blanc resident, 36, lived in Los Angeles for 10 years and is pursuing a new career after being laid off from a Flint car dealership.

He said an academic curriculum would likely be more beneficial to students than just a few courses.

"I think it's created high demand," he said of the state's new tax incentives to the film industry. "This is a growing industry in the state and people want to be the first to get in."

uaarkson · #15 Posted **Jun 30, 2009, 7:53 AM**

This is unbelievable. So much good news for flint, and in the middle of a damn recession too!

LMich · #16 Posted **Jul 28, 2009, 4:28 AM**

Is that a parking garage going up behind the Durant?

Rizzo · #17 Posted **Jul 28, 2009, 6:47 AM**

Yessir

robk1982 · #18 Posted **Jul 31, 2009, 1:37 PM**

http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/news...aspx?id=330916

Quote:

MSU medical school talk has Flint buzzing
By Dave Kinchen
Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 12:29 a.m.

News of MSU’s College of Human Medicine likely expanding into Flint has the city talking about a possible upgrade in college town status.

“I just think by having 150 students who feel a connection, especially to Downtown Flint, that can really help make that next step in terms of Flint as a college town environment,” said Hurley Medical Center President and CEO Patrick Wardell.

In a story NBC25 broke right here on ConnectMidMichigan.com last week, Wardell said MSU is interested in building a medical campus in Downtown Flint.

The medical partnership would connect 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students to Hurley, Genesys Health System, and McLaren Health Care with a focus on epidemiology, international medicine and other fields.

“I think it’s going to add to the intellectual atmosphere. I think it will be able to attract students through our local universities who can be in a pipeline to MSU,” Wardell said.

This would be the latest move in connecting college students to the other academic institutions in Flint and Genesee County, with an ideal location in mind.

“Clearly Downtown Flint is the logical physical center of a college town environment, with the new restaurants opening, and new development opening up, much of that is predicated on the idea that there will be a student population,” said Michael Kelly, spokesperson for Mott Community College.

The Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce reports about 27,000 college students are in Flint. Of that, only about 4,000 are from outside of the city or region. One such student is U-M Flint International Business Junior Sonja Schnecker. She told NBC25 Flint is doing something right.

“When I first came here, I stayed on campus and I shortly realized it’s ok to walk around town. There are always things going on, like art festivals. You can go around here at night to the different clubs and pubs. This is a beautiful, beautiful place to be.”

Meanwhile, talks are still ongoing with the MSU medical school initiative. Wardell said the group involved in the project are looking to roll out the plan by 2011. Wardell did stress that the partnership would not receive funding from Hurley’s millage request, if passed by voters on August 4 .

LMich · #19 Posted **Aug 1, 2009, 2:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by robk1982

http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/news...aspx?id=330916

I just hope this is a genuine expansion. The last time MSU's College of Human Medicine 'expanded' they basically uprooted half the medical school and moved it to Grand Rapids. With health care being one of the only bright spots in the state economy, that move sure didn't help Sparrow and Ingham Regional Medical Center here in Lansing.

robk1982 · #20 Posted **Aug 3, 2009, 6:03 PM**

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/inde...ind_sched.html

Quote:

Durant apartments behind schedule, won't be ready for start of UM-Flint school year
by Ron Fonger | The Flint Journal
Saturday August 01, 2009, 8:00 AM

FLINT -- The old Durant Hotel won't be ready for University of Michigan-Flint students until at least second semester, months later than developers had originally hoped and at a time when demand for student housing still appears to be rising.

Richard Karp, whose company partially owns and is developing the Durant, said bridge loan financing and of the city of Flint's permitting process have set the opening of the project back to sometime in early 2010.

At a ribbon-cutting event in October, developers said they wanted to have the $30-million Durant apartments open by the time classes at UM-Flint start on Sept. 8.

"This will give us a little more time to make sure we have a product we're really happy with," Karp said Thursday.

Although the Durant delay is certain, the new Riverfront Residence Hall is expected to be open in time for the start of classes in September, said Ridgway White, project manager.

"We're signing contracts now (and) there's great demand -- over 200 applications," White said. "We think it's a Class-A facility -- a building that creates community."

Riverfront will eventually create an additional 550 beds downtown but will open with 243 available initially. The former Hyatt Regency hotel is being given a $20-million facelift, transforming it into what's being marketed as "premium student housing" complete with wireless Internet, movie theater, game room and fitness center.

The nonproft Uptown Reinvestment Corp. bought the 16-story building earlier this year with a loan from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

Although the Durant isn't exclusively for students, Karp said about 80 percent of inquiries from potential renters so far are from people attending or planning to attend UM-Flint.

The Flint landmark opened in 1920, closed in 1973 and has been the subject of several failed redevelopment proposals in the past. The Genesee County Land Bank purchased the building in 2005 and sold it to 607 E. Second Avenue LLC, a new limited liability company created by Karp's Karp & Associates and Prater Development.

Mary Jo Sekelsky, vice chancellor for student services and enrollment management at UM-Flint, said there continues to be strong interest in housing that's convenient for students.

During the 2008-09 academic year, the university's first on-campus residence hall filled to capacity and Sekelsky said she expects demand will continue to grow this year. She encouraged those interested in living on campus to apply for a spot in the residence hall despite the competition for spots.

Sophomore Jasmine Bell, a sophomore from Detroit, said she believes if more housing is on the market around the university, students will come.

Bell lived on campus last year and intends to again this fall.

"I don't think I would have made the progress that I made (last year) by myself -- away from other students," Bell said. "Here, I was able to come back to the residence hall and find students who have the same classes I do.

"It's easier to find study groups and people to talk about (things)," the 19-year-old said.

"I think (the Durant and Riverfront) will be good ... something like that in addition to what we have. I wish we could expand more but it takes time. Students will be interested," she said.

No real surprise there in the delay, and at least there will be 200+ new downtown residents living in the Riverfront Residence Hall.