A member of Laborers Local 1075 hits the bricks on Saginaw Street
What would a visit to Flint be without a labor dispute? I took this shot this morning outside the old Hyatt/Character Inn, which is in the process of being converted into the Riverfront Residence Hall. (That's the Durant Hotel in the background, also being rehabed.)
Here's the freakishly large stuffed bear — courtesy of Flint Journal photographer Bruce Edwards' flamboyant camera angle — in the lobby of the Character Inn c. 2005. Notice the smaller brown bear in the background, stage right. The big guy seems bemused, no doubt wondering how things came to this. One day you're minding your own business in the woods; a few months later you're trapped in Flint surrounded by red carpet and evangelical Christians in a room reminiscent of the L.L. Bean flagship store after a big sale. The dorm rats from UM-Flint would sure have fun with these props — how many shots of Jäger before you jump in the stagnant wading pool with Yogi? — but something tells me they'll be long gone before the students move in. Too many liability issues. Too bad.
Sally York of The Flint Journal reports that the old Hyatt/Character Inn — an ill-fated redevelopment project rivaled only by Auto World — may finally be put to good use:
"The vacant Riverfront Character Inn is going to be turned into a giant home for Flint's growing number of college students.
"The nonprofit Uptown Reinvestment Corp. bought the 16-story former hotel Friday with plans to transform it into housing for local college students. A $20-million loan from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is funding the purchase and planned renovations.
Eventually, the building will become home to 550 students and be called Riverfront Residence Hall, said Tim Herman, president of Uptown. It also could include classrooms, a game room, Internet cafe and meeting space in what is being termed a student living and learning center. The exterior of the building also will be updated, as will the heating and air-conditioning systems."
That's right, downtown may once again be filled with inebriated youngsters just like the good ol' days. Not only is this good news for Flint, but it allows me to post one of my favorite Flint-related YouTube videos for the third time.
A member of Laborers Local 1075 hits the bricks on Saginaw Street
