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Redeveloping downtown Flint
By MAGGIE I. JARUZEL
Although the scale is smaller than some of the projects elsewhere in Michigan, many residents and officials are hopeful about downtown redevelopment efforts in Flint. Currently, projects in the Mott Foundation’s hometown exceed a combined total investment of more than $30 million, according to Tim Herman, CEO of Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.
These efforts include a combination of new construction projects for offices, restaurants and retailers that are mixed with renovation of older buildings for loft residences and office space along the city’s main street. Also, ground was broken in July 2007 for the first on-campus housing for UM-Flint downtown. This will provide 310 beds for students when it opens in August 2008.
Additionally, in an effort to make the Flint area more globally competitive, Bishop International Airport announced in late 2006 a $33.7-million intermodal hub — a system for moving cargo and goods from one form of transportation, such as highways, railroads, airplanes or ships, to another.
“We are going to see a lot of spinoff from what’s happening with the airport so that Genesee County will be seen as a logistics center,” Herman said.
“We’re delighted with this intermodal hub. It will be a true driver of economic development in this county, because we are ideally located in the state and the country at the intersection of I-69 and I-75.”