Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Memories of the Swayze Apartments


A reader is looking for any memories or information on the Swayze Apartments at 313 W. Court Street. Can anyone help him out? Thanks.


9 comments:

  1. Oh I feel bad for the loss of this apartment building.

    Back in the late 90s I had a friend I've since lost touch with who lived there. I was only in the building two or three times, but it seemed to my eye to be a well put together and sturdy structure with carpeted hallways. I also recall that it had an old school elevator but that might be a memory from another building.

    These days I avoid going to Flint if I can, however I do like to entertain the idea of revitializing The Swazye and renting it out once again.

    I have noticed that one of the small hallway windows in the center of the building has been l left open year round to the elements. Are there ways of prepping a building so that damage will result minimally and over a longer period of time? I sure would like to see this building used to fulfill its purpose once again. Since the old school across from The White Horse is going to be changed into a senior living center (where are they gonna shop without Witherbees?)it seems someone would throw some TLC toward the Swazye and bring it back to life.

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  2. I (barely) remember often visiting my friends who lived here back in the 1980's. We used to party in preparation for a night at the Hot Rock or the Torch. One of my friends (who I won't name), after moving out, once broke into her old apartment, thinking she still lived there! Obviously, alcohol was a factor!

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  3. All hail Al Korth, one of Flint's all-time greatest bass players.


    Hey, get that Process-Fun In The Deadzone tape to the FUMA stat.

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  4. I actually lived there in the late seventies. I was a youngster at the time...many of the resident were retirees. The apartments were 1 bedroom, 1 bath. No air conditioning and they regulated the heat. Very little parking available. The lobby was small with a sweet little fireplace. I do not recall an elevators...just stairs. Simply put...no frills. :0) There was a building on left that was so close that I could actually hear conversations the people would have...guess they could hear mine too. I have very fond memories of this place. I've moved to another state and was not aware it was boarded up ..so sad.

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  5. Hanging out in Thomas Totten's bedroom surrounded by a huge array of burning candles listening to something I'd never heard of in his infamous record collection. I believe Joel Rash was living downstairs at the time. That place was definitely an extension of the downtown scene in the late 80s/early 90s.

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  6. Anonymous, I couldn't post your comment because of the specific mention of a certain disreputable landlord with an usual name. All true, but I try to stay clear of potential legal entanglements. Feel free to rephrase minus the name. Thanks.

    By the way, he's out of prison now.

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  7. I heard it's listed at 90k. A bit steep imo. Someone would buy it if it was better priced or maybe fixed up a little. Last time I stopped there the back was wide open. I went to the first landing but I got the impression there were squatters so I left. Sad for this cool building to be forgotten.

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  8. I lived there for awhile in the late 90s. My daughter was born in that building. It was beautiful when I lived there and had a fabulous landlord, but she sold it during our time there and it went downhill from there. I have lots of memories from it, if anyone needs them.

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  9. There is news about the apartment buidling being renovated for the homeless.

    "The building, built in 1924, was created by William Ballenger, a founder of General Motors, and is being considered for addition to the National Register of Historic Places."



    http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/01/new_36-unit_restoration_planne.html#incart_story_package

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Thanks for commenting. I moderate comments, so it may take a while for your comment to appear. You might enjoy my book about Flint called "Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City," a Michigan Notable Book for 2014 and a finalist for the 33rd Annual Northern California Book Award for Creative NonFiction. Filmmaker Michael Moore described Teardown as "a brilliant chronicle of the Mad Maxization of a once-great American city." More information about Teardown is available at www.teardownbook.com.