The other day I wandered around downtown Flint and along the river.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd heard that the building on the left (ugly 70s looking thing) has some structural issues - are they planning to bring it down?

 

Great stuff.

 

I am impressed that Flint is getting all this housing downtown with its severe depopulation citywide.

great work on michigan's youngstown!

Looks like things are improving for Flint.

I hope Kumar Towers goes away already.  Ugly building.  When I went in there many years ago the floor slabs in the parking structure portion were starting to come apart.  That fence has been up for maybe a year now (?) just in case one of those large precast panels decides to fall off.

 

 

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FYI, the base of this building is entirely brand new.  It was rebuilt a couple years ago.  They did a good job. 

 

 

Good ole' Flint. Michael Moore would be proud.

 

Thanks!

I decided to use this thread like I do my huge Detroit one.  This way I'm not making a new thread for a smaller collection of pictures.

 

Recently I did some urbex in Flint, this is a historic school.  I always know history on these places and names but I don't like to give them out on public forums.

 

 

Some downtown pictures coming soon....

That building is going to be demoed next month so I wouldn't worry about protecting it's identity although you did walk onto state property

That building is going to be demoed next month so I wouldn't worry about protecting it's identity

 

Yeah, I've known since last January that it is supposed to be demolished.

 

although you did walk onto state property

Oh no!!

 

 

Yep, and better watch out.  With that big deficit they may start taxing urban exploration.  10% for every photo taken.

^ This is why the Ohio School Facilities Commission funds the demolition of unused schools, when a district uses OSFC funds to build new schools.

 

Thanks for the pics, very interesting!

 

The completed Rowe Building, I like!

^That last one is a pretty good example of nice infill.  I like it too.

Downtown Flint looks a lot nicer than I thought it would. A lot different than what pictures of the residential neighborhoods would give you the impression of.

 

Flint benefits from the fact that many of its neighborhoods near the core are intact while outer neighborhoods are in big trouble.  I guess it helps from a planning standpoint if you are trying to present the heart of the city as this really nice place.  Flint could easily fool someone.  Its downtown is becoming nicer every year, yet the doom and gloom of continuous losses in automotive jobs will go on at least for another decade.

Not sure what the selling proposition for buying a loft is in Downtown Flint, but whatever. No pics of the former Autoworld? Is it still standing?

great work on michigan's youngstown!

 

That was exactly the comparison that popped into my mind as I viewed the photos; once-thriving heavy-industry city on hard times and making a valiant effort to put its best foot forward with its downtown.

 

Not sure what the selling proposition for buying a loft is in Downtown Flint, but whatever.

 

A pretty cynical-sounding opener, but whatever.

 

Some reasons might be roots or family ties in the area. Often a city with a depressed local economy offers a low cost of living that might be attractive to retirees with fixed/limited incomes, and I'm sure that not all jobs in Flint have gone away. Some people like living within walking distance of their work and not having to take care of landscaping, roof, gutters, etc.

Not sure what the selling proposition for buying a loft is in Downtown Flint, but whatever. No pics of the former Autoworld? Is it still standing?

 

I take it you haven't been to Flint in some time.  AutoWorld is long gone.

FYI, for those who aren't familiar with AutoWorld, it was an indoor theme park that shut down about 25 years ago. 

 

It was an epic failure, and an incredible waste of money, even by today's numbers.  It's a shame because it seemed like a good idea, but indoor amusement parks have a long track record of failing in the United States.  The building was demolished in the late 90's.  A new building by U of M was constructed on that site about 8 years ago.