FAQFAQ   SearchSearch  MemberlistMemberlistRegisterRegister  ProfileProfile   Log in[ Log in ]  Flint Talk RSSFlint Talk RSS

»Home »Open Chat »Political Talk  Â»Flint Journal »Political Jokes »The Bob Leonard Show  

Flint Michigan online news magazine. We have lively web forums


FlintTalk.com Forum Index > Political Talk

Topic: Flint is more than downtown!

  Author    Post Post new topic Reply to topic
untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Flint named to federal Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative

Dominic Adams | dadams5@mlive.com By Dominic Adams | dadams5@mlive.com
Follow on Twitter
on January 16, 2014 at 11:51 AM, updated January 16, 2014 at 2:06 PM


FLINT, MI – Flint’s master plan is already paying dividends as the city was named to a federal program targeted at helping financial distressed cities.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan touted the Flint's master plan as one of the reason’s the city was picked for an expansion of the Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative.

“One of the things that really impressed us about Flint is that there is a brand new master plan and provides a clear road map strategy for the city and we really felt we could be helpful on,” Donovan said.

The seven new locations will receive technical advice and expertise from federal inter-agency teams, HUD said in a statement.

The SC2 teams will help Flint more effectively invest existing resources, provide advice and expertise in support of local priorities, better align federal programs and investments, and facilitate new partnerships and peer learning opportunities, the statement said.

The program was started with six cities in 2011 by the White House Domestic Policy Council. Detroit was one of the original cities.

“This initiative puts federal staff on the ground in mayor’s office, to cut through red tape,” said DPC Director Cecilia Muñoz, adding that the initial SC2 program helped cities get to more than $300 million in federal funds during its first phase. “This is about doing more with what we have.”

Donovan said a team would work in Flint for at least a year, but could be here up to two years.

“SC2 will bring additional capacity to the implementation of the new master plan for a sustainable Flint and to the innovative work being done here to improve economic opportunity, neighborhood safety and community quality of life for all of Flint’s residents, businesses and students,” Mayor Dayne Walling said in a statement. “Flint is transforming into a diverse 21st century city and SC2 engagement will speed our progress.”

The SC2 award follows in the footsteps of Flint getting federal demolition dollars to get rid of vacant homes throughout the city, according to Flint's Director of Planning and Development Megan Hunter.


“Obviously one of our challenges is because of our financial, situation we’re extremely limited on hiring staff,” she said. “We’re looking at having at least one to two embedded staff that work at the city who have a high-level expertise and knowledge of federal programs to bring more resources here.”

Hunter said the focus would be in high-priority areas such as public safety, blight, neighborhood stabilization and economic development specifically focusing on brownfield redevelopment.

She said she expects the federal employees to be working in the city by the end of March.

“In my opinion, to have the knowledge and expertise in a way is almost better than grant dollars,” Hunter said. “I think we’ll be able to get more resources to the city.”

Other cities added to the program include St. Louis, Gary, Ind., Brownsville, Texas, Rockford, Ill., Macon, Ga. And Rocky Mount, N.C.

There were 91 economically distressed cities across the country invited to apply, Donovan said. Flint was one of 51 that applied and ultimately chosen.

“This will help coordinate and direct federal programs and investments to spark additional economic growth and opportunity in Flint,” said U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, in a statement. “I have spent most of my career focused on reinventing America’s older, industrial cities and towns like Flint, Saginaw and Bay City, and a true collaborative partnership like this designation with the federal government is vital to our success.”

Dominic Adams is a reporter for The Flint Journal. Contact him at dadams5@mlive.com or 810-241-8803. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.
Post Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:19 am 
 View user's profile Send private message  Reply with quote  
untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Flint has had an Enterprise Zone, a Renaissance Zone and was designated a Cool City, yet the benefits, if any, are meager. The current embedded HUD person appears to be following the 2002 Chamber of Commerce Plan.

Come on HUD, there is more t Flint than downtown. Kildee is pushing much of this effort, despite his previous problems with the Land Bank investments in the Berridge. Lofts are mostly rentals and not sales downtown.

Flint is encouraging Habitat for Humanity to continue building downtown. (The right kind of low income people? )

Meanwhile Dan Kildee's Flint office is not responding to the issues of his residents. They don't take or return all calls. His uncle was better at serving his constituents.

Why isn't fixing the Hamilton Dam a priority? Why is the emphasis on Kettering? The abandoned station on Grand Traverse and University is gone and Kettering has purchased the troublesome party store.

Meanwhile Glenwood, Mott Park, and much of the area behind McLaren Hospital is really suffering. These were nice areas under siege from gangs, drugs and other issues. The Sunset apartments is under new management and seems to have improved their priorities.

That area ads mine, just north of there are being hit with a crime wave and we may have increased patrols.


Last edited by untanglingwebs on Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:45 am; edited 1 time in total
Post Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:28 am 
 View user's profile Send private message  Reply with quote  
untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Feds send $1 million to Kettering University to stamp out University Avenue crime hot spots

Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on October 02, 2014 at 6:00 PM, updated October 02, 2014 at 6:01 PM


FLINT, MI -- Kettering University is getting $1 million to find and extinguish hot spots for crime along University Avenue, a key connector for some of Flint's most important institutions.

The university and U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Twp., said Thursday, Oct. 2, that the $1 million has been approved by the U.S. Department of Justice.

An application for the federal help says the goals of the project are to reduce assault, robbery and burglary by 20 percent; reduce blight "that facilitates crime" by 50 percent; and engage residents in the target area to participate in community life "at all levels."

"Kettering, the (University Avenue Corridor Coalition) and our many partners within the city of Flint have already made major efforts to enhance the safety, appearance and development potential in the University Avenue Corridor," Kettering President Robert K. McMahan said in a news release.

"This grant will not only allow for the continuation of those efforts, it will lead to making the area more pedestrian-friendly, crime-free and enable easier connections (to) the growing activities downtown Flint through sidewalks, trails, pathways and other features that will continue to make Flint a great place to live, study, play and work."

The University Avenue Corridor stretches west from downtown and includes three neighborhoods -- Carriage Town, Mott Park and Glendale Hills -- as well as Kettering, the University of Michigan-Flint, Genesee Health System, Whaley Children's Center, and Hurley and McLaren medical centers.

The UACC proposal for grant funding, which names Kettering as fiscal agent, says it aims to achieve its crime-reduction goals in part by using targeted law enforcement, targeted blight elimination, and establishing links between substance use and sales with violent ad property crime.

Kettering's news release says part of the grant will support researchers and community partners "as they develop community-oriented plans that transform distressed neighborhoods into thriving ones."

Kildee broke news of the grant award in a Twitter message Thursday, and called it "welcomed news for Flint."

"This innovative approach, which prioritizes public safety and represents a partnership between Kettering University, area residents and local law enforcement, will help reduce and prevent crime. I applaud the University Avenue Corridor Coalition for their work," Kildee's statement says.

Dallas Gatlin, executive director of Carriage Town Ministries, said the grant "helps us greatly" with work that has already started in the area.

Carriage Town hosts monthly meetings of the UACC, and Gatlin said the grant will "accelerate progress" that's already being made toward the goal of making the area safer for residents and institutions.

The UACC includes representatives from universities, hospitals, businesses, neighborhood and civic associations.

"Crime rates will plummet," he said. "We know what to do. We just need to do it."

Since 2013, Kettering alone has demolished many blighted structures in the area, continuing to maintain the land as green space and took over operation of Atwood Stadium, according to the university.

In 2014, Kettering completed repairs to lighting, signs and masonry inside Atwood as well as making repairs to restrooms, a concession area and locker rooms there.

Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said in an email to The Flint Journal that the new $1 million grant has the potential to ensure future economic development and neighborhood revitalization.

"This new funding for public safety in the University Avenue corridor will enable us to get at the root of the public safety challenges by working with the community," Walling said.

The grant proposal identifies the most prevalent violent crimes in the University Corridor as aggravated and felonious assault, robbery and weapons offenses, and says the area has higher rates of robbery, weapons and criminal sexual conduct offenses than does the city as a whole.

Funding from the Justice Department is from the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program, which is a part of the Obama Administration's larger Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, according to the DOJ.

That effort is designed to help communities develop community oriented strategies with federal support "to change neighborhoods of distress into neighborhoods of opportunity," the agency says.

Related Stories


One year later: Kettering University vows to make Atwood Stadium viable community asset


Flint gets $1.9 million more to transform Chevy in the Hole eyesore into massive public
Post Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:41 am 
 View user's profile Send private message  Reply with quote  
untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Flint gets $1.9 million more to transform Chevy in the Hole eyesore into massive public park


Chevy in the Hole, a run-down, old manufacturing site, is photographed on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 on Stevenson Road near downtown Flint. A grant will pay for this dilapidated area to be recovered and Chevy in the Hole will instead be "Chevy Commons", a park-like area. Katie McLean | MLive.com


Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on September 26, 2014 at 2:30 PM


FLINT, MI -- The city will use a new $1.9-million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up the old General Motors' Chevy in the Hole site and redevelop it into Chevy Commons, a massive park with nature trails and fishing spots.

Mayor Dayne Walling announced the funding during a groundbreaking today, Sept. 26, for Oak Street Senior Apartments, using the new award as an example of the potential for more federal help here because of the Strong Cities, Strong Communities program that Flint was selected for in January.

Strong Cities is a federal program that targets financially distressed cities, providing them with technical advice and expertise from the federal government.

"These new funds will expand the area we can cover with trees and walking paths. We are making the right connections" to secure assistance through the Strong Cities program, Walling said.

The Chevy Commons grant has actually been awarded to the Genesee County Land Bank, said federal officials at today's ceremony. It will allow for work on the second phase of plans for transforming the former General Motors property to a massive public park with walking paths, called Chevy Commons.

Phase two of the work involves the development of a Genesee Valley Trail extension through the site, including building connections to regional trail systems, enhancing Flint River views, improving access to the river for fishing and creating "flexible spaces for community use," according to the development plan.

"A potential bridge will link Chevy Commons with Carriage Town and provide an ideal place for fishing in the Flint River," the plan says. "A stretch of native plants and shrubs along the river provides an attractive natural area and visual connection across the Flint River Trail and to the open recreation areas to the north."

City and Land Bank officials debuted plans for redeveloping the 60-acre Chevy Commons in April, saying the transformation could result in a destination park that would allow people to walk and bike here from all Flint's neighborhoods.

A $1.6-million grant from EPA is funding the first phase of the work, which includes the addition of soil to cover concrete slabs on the site, installation of a parking area, walking paths and shrubs in about one-third of the space.

Emergency manager Darnell Earley's office issued a news release today, saying the Flint Strong Cities effort will focus on neighborhood stabilization, public safety and economic development.

The Strong Cities team supporting Flint includes representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development; Department of Transportation; EPA; Department of Commerce; Department of Energy; U.S. Attorney's Office; FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Earley's statement says the leader of the Flint Strong Cities program is a HUD employee who has relocated to Flint and is now embedded full-time in City Hall.

Ron Fonger is a reporter for The Flint Journal. Contact him at rfonger1@mlive.com or 810-347-9963. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.
Post Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:49 am 
 View user's profile Send private message  Reply with quote  
untanglingwebs
El Supremo

New York filmmakers highlight downtown Flint revitalization in upcoming documentary

Amanda Emery | aemery@mlive.com By Amanda Emery | aemery@mlive.com
Follow on Twitter
on October 02, 2014 at 5:00 PM, updated October 02, 2014 at 7:13 PM



FLINT, MI – Flint will be in the spotlight as a revitalization story that is highlighted in an upcoming documentary.

New York documentary filmmakers Ryan Jones and Shawn Willis are co-directing a piece in coordination with the Benjamin Moore Main Street Matters campaign. Flint was one of 20 North American towns selected to receive free paint, supplies and the consultation of a design expert from the Benjamin Moore Main Street Matters revitalization program, as part of the company's national "Paint What Matters" contest.

In May, the University Avenue corridor received a fresh coat of paint and Jones and Willis began their documentary. Willis said they were hired by Benjamin Moore to make a film on the status of Main Street America.

When the filmmakers first came to Flint in the spring, they met Robb Klaty, a managing partner at Table & Tap, and realized he fit into the story of Flint they wanted to tell.

"When we first came out here we met with the mayor of Flint and we did an interview with him and he brought us to Table & Tap and he introduced us to Robb, the owner of Table & Tap and the (Flint) Crepe Company," Willis said. "After talking to Robb, we realized he fit in really well to the story we are telling, which is after decades of people moving into the suburbs, all across the country, more people are moving back into urban areas, back into Main Streets downtown. Robb not only owns a few businesses downtown, but he wants to move his whole family downtown. So that's pretty much what we have been doing, is following Robb.

"He's a character within the story of the return to people living an urban lifestyle."

The filmmakers are about two weeks from completing the documentary and were filming some b-roll and interviews in Table & Tap on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Klaty said the documentary focuses on the revitalization happening downtown.

"The cool thing to me is it's a positive documentary on Flint," Klaty said. "In the case of downtown, there's a revitalization and there's energy coming back downtown around live, work and play."

Coming into Flint, Willis and Jones said the only thing they knew about the city was what they had seen in Michael Moore's "Roger & Me."

"Our expectations were completely reversed from what we thought we knew about Flint," Jones said.

Flint is one of four cities Jones and Willis are focusing on in their documentary. The other cities included are Macon, Georgia; Joplin, Missouri; and Ellicott City, Maryland.

"The thing that all four of them have in common -- they might be on different levels of improvement and revitalization, but they all have so much going for them," Jones said.

Willis and Jones said they plan to enter the documentary in the South by Southwest music and film festival.

Amanda Emery is a police reporter for MLive-Flint Journal. Contact her at aemery@mlive.com or 810-285-0792.
Post Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:53 am 
 View user's profile Send private message  Reply with quote  
  Display posts from previous:      
Post new topic Reply to topic

Jump to:  


Last Topic | Next Topic  >

Forum Rules:
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

 

Flint Michigan online news magazine. We have lively web forums

Website Copyright © 2010 Flint Talk.com
Contact Webmaster - FlintTalk.com >