Downtown Versus Neighborhoods: The Flint City Council Decides the Fate of the Capitol Theatre

Talk to residents out in many Flint neighborhoods and it doesn't take long to realize there's a growing divide between neighborhood interests and downtown interests, often represented by Uptown Development and the Flint & Genesee Chamber. Look no further than the looming showdown in the Flint City Council over the transfer of a property tax freeze that Uptown says is key to rehabilitating the historic Capitol Theatre.

MLive's Dominic Adams reports:

Flint City Council Eric Mays said he supported the tax freeze under the past ownership but has not made his mind up on the transfer request. 

"I want the residents to come out and weigh in on that," said Mays, adding he believes there are other legal issues that need to be clarified before the council can vote. 

Councilwoman Monica Galloway, who represents the theater's ward, said Wednesday she is still gathering information about the proposal and declined further comment.

Flint Photos: Hyatt/Character Inn Lobby

This is from my trip in June so things have probably progressed from this point. I think of this as a happy photo; it's like the fantasy of being a tourist town is finally being obliterated. Here's hoping for better results this time around.

Durant Hotel Renovation Confirmed

It's official.

The Durant Hotel will get a $30 million renovation to convert it into an apartment complex.

Fashionable Food and Drink

Remember Blackstone's men's clothing store at 531 S. Saginaw Street? It's about to become Blackstone's Pub & Grill.

Custom tailoring will not be included with lunch.

Wading into downtown architecture

Photo by Ryan Garza of The Flint Journal

The wonders of Photoshop, courtesy of Randy Gearheart

I'm not thrilled with the look of the new Wade Trim Building — it seems a little soulless to me — but it's hard to complain too much about any upgrades to downtown Flint. And this Ryan Garza photo of the city's incongruous architectural styles makes Flint's emerging hodgepodge of buildings look sort of appealing. Sometimes no planning at all somehow ties together in a weird, unexpected way. Of course, the Genesee Towers aren't long for this world, so this mismatched triumverate will eventually be a duo. And that might not be such a bad thing either.

Update: Here are a few comments on this post from Flint residents:

slick says: My opinion is that to see it up close and personal it's actually not bad.

There is actually green grass in downtown flint. hopefully it will not turn to weeds.

I can't speak from an architectural point of view, but it certainly looks better than the run-down plywood covered edifice which preceded it.

Downtown is starting to come together...seriously....to hear comments from those residing afar doesn't give it justice imho.

Being one in the trenches here in the good old vehicle city, I can see the change.

Scottr says: I don't understand why people expect a city's downtown to 'blend'. It needs buildings of all ages and styles - new, old, and in between. Flint is finally starting to get that mix, yet out comes all the critics who want nothing but art deco or some such design. I love old buildings, but if all of them were from the early 20th century, downtown would be a very boring place, and no better than an aging strip mall in the suburbs.

Personally, I like it. I think it's got a classic look with a modern flair to it. It's honestly one of the most attractive new builds downtown has seen in 3 decades, including most anything at UM-Flint. And I'm very interested in seeing what the CFGF and Health Plus may do.


Correction: The original version of this post described the Wade Trim as a "refurbished" building. It is an entirely new structure. Thanks to Scott for catching this mistake.

Bringing people downtown

More small steps that might add up to real change in Flint:

"Thousands of car buffs and enthusiasts gathering to admire shiny rides and the years of memories they elicit," reports Melissa Burden of The Flint Journal.

"Hundreds of people enjoying a concert, sampling food and drinks on a warm summer day.

"They're part of a grassroots group's vision to pack downtown Flint with a festival or event every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day in 2009, piggybacking off several successful and highly attended downtown events this past summer.

"Steve Casner, owner of Casner Insurance Agency Inc. in Flint Township, and four other people who share a love of cars have been talking for more than a year about bringing more events and festivals downtown. The group -- which includes a physician and a teacher -- would like to see the events bring in 10,000 or more people each weekend."

Thankfully, it does not appear that drag racing will find a spot on the Flint calendar.