What will Flint be like in 40 years? Zach Yancer, a columnist for The Michigan Times, UM-Flint's student newspaper, shares his vision of the future:
"Per this writer’s perpetual wishing, there is even a grand Starbucks Café right there in the lobby of the brand new Mestas Tower where the old dingy Genesee Tower once stood. The University long ago purchased the demolished lot from the city and built a grand 15 story modern glass and steel office building for retail, university administration, and private business office on the top five floors. They even had the decency to name it for the chancellor that started it all.
"In a partnership with Kettering University, UM-Flint long ago constructed the Flint Alternative Energy Research Partnership, spurring hundreds of millions of dollars in bio-tech, wind and solar investment. Sites where old ruined car factory lots once stood now serve as home to over a dozen wind turbine and solar panel factories, all built with union-free labor in the heart of Michigan’s old industrial core (you had to expect something from the Republican).
"The 5,000 plus jobs these factories created have been a boom to the local community."
Read the rest here.
A reader asked an interesting question: Are there any Starbucks in Flint?
According to the coffee monolith's website, Flint has two stores — one at 3822 E. Court St. and one at 3243 Miller Rd. In other words, right about where you'd expect them to be. Now if Starbucks started serving fries with gravy, they might do a little better in The Vehicle City.
What will Flint be like in 40 years? Zach Yancer, a columnist for The Michigan Times, UM-Flint's student newspaper, shares his vision of the future: