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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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While Tim Herman gave a presentation to City Council in March of 2003, The 30 page Initiatives for Uptown: Uptown Reinvestment Strategy contains much more detail.
Among the Sasaki recommendations were major priority housing(housing adaptive reuse), utilization of the waterfront and the development of a niche market for seniors, empty nesters in loft apartments. Some buildings would have to be destroyed but historic preservation was key to the project. The loft apartments were essential to the development of a "distinct image of a college town". Part of the goal was to identify unique attributes of the area in order to promote the college town atmosphere.
The goal was to redefine Flint as a pedestrian friendly urban environment and not a symbol of the past. Instead of a massive single project Sasaki proposed numerous small and locally based initiatives to make significant downtown improvements.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Fri Nov 09, 2018 2:23 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Fri Nov 09, 2018 1:14 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The plan proposed two markets. There would be a primary market which was a 2 mile radius from the city's urban core designated as 2nd street and Saginaw Street. The secondary market area was a 20 mile radius around downtown with a significantly higher population.
The investors needed to know who was living in and close to downtown and what would appeal to that base. The secondary market place was determined to be more diverse, affluent, older than the primary group and having greater disposable wealth. The strategy was to encourage an influx of younger, single, childless couples and college students to downtown. Also they sought older empty nesters, the retired, the elderly and the more affluent and educated suburbanites that were seeking a more urban lifestyle.High quality housing was proposed within walking distance of employment , dining and high quality entertainment. It was proposed to provide a divers combination of ethnic foods, art galleries, theaters, music and arts and cultural venues. |
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Fri Nov 09, 2018 1:35 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Uptown was looking at a combination of Brookings Institute for a redevelopment strategy:
1. an adaptive reuse of office buildings, warehouses, factories, and former retail stores.
2. a development of "found land" such as waterfronts or remediated brownfields;
3. utilization of HOPE VI funds to redevelop public housing;
4. mixed use or new construction projects;
5. cultural or niche markets such as student or retirement housing;
6. historic preservation to establish a site specific identity. |
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Fri Nov 09, 2018 1:49 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Downtown would have a a distinctive population from the city as a whole. Providing living options to potential downtown residents would be the cornerstone of success.
Potential downtown residents:
*newly formed households
*young frequent movers
*enterprising young singles
*upper income empty nesters
*active senior singles
*urban professional couples
*twenty somethings |
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Fri Nov 09, 2018 1:57 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Hope VI HUD is "funding that seeks to improve residential circumstances of public housing residents by integrating the residents into the greater fabric of a municipality " such as mixed income residential environment.
The Brooking's Institute noted how the character of growing downtown populations were distinct from those of the city as a whole and were more affluent, more highly educated and more white than those in the Metropolitan Statistical Area.
In order to attract and maintain a residential base downtown it was necessary to enhance the safety and security while creating a 24 hour downtown environment. They also proposed implementing a professional marketing campaign.
It is necessary to overcome a negative impression of vacant commercial properties by the conversion of the vacant downtown spaces to housing. This was expected to have a positive effect on the commercial market. |
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Fri Nov 09, 2018 2:22 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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At the time the market was relatively weak for both developers and brokers, Most significantly there was a cluster of government offices as tenants and clusters off offices along Saginaw Street. There had been an exodus of office tenants to suburban Flint where employees could live close to their jobs and the offices were constructed to suit their needs. The downtown vacancy rate in 2003 was 25% to 35 % compared to the 5% to 10% of the suburbs.
Student housing was the staple of many downtown comebacks. At one point senior housing in Flint was saturated. Churches expressed living facilities for their members. Seniors living in the suburbs often wanted to downsize and have a more urban setting.
The negatives were security concerns, parking issues and a general lack of vitality downtown. Revival necessitated pedestrian traffic. |
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Fri Nov 09, 2018 2:41 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Two types of potential retail markets were shown:
1. destination retail- those that generate a special purpose trip and do not benefit from high volume pedestrian traffic. Could be a high end shopping district, an arts district or one having an entertainment or recreation identity.
2. convenience retail - attracts shoppers within a close proximity of establishment carrying staples and take out food.
There will be more success in clusters of retail that target the same audience as the retail must be linked to the tastes of the target audience. Need local entrepreneurs and not chain stores. There are advantages to the investment of local entrepreneurs as they can generate and retain locally based customers and have the ability to customize goods and services to a specific demographic and customer preference. The key element is a dedicated staff. |
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Fri Nov 09, 2018 10:14 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The current population was viewed as insufficient to support expansion, but can support a broad cross section of the market because they have carve out a niche. New populations seen as a competitive advantage to niche business competitive advantage.
The Carriage Town neighborhood was said to be emerging as a diverse and vibrant urban neighborhood as the value of renovated historic homes had reached $100,000.
A clothing store failed when it did not meet the demands for quality products. |
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Fri Nov 09, 2018 10:32 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Summary of market opportunities
There is a need for an aggressive promotion and strong leadership.
1. Needs quality housing ad loft apartments- strive for residents that are younger and more diverse than the general population and with tastes that are different than those on Miller Road.
2. Need a diverse collection of arts. The cultural Center is a unique asset and the Capitol Theatre has significant reuse potential, particularly as a venue for non trafitional and alternative cultural events.
Flint Arts Council is considering an arts and cultural with retail development including a boutique coffee house, African Art Gallery, pool hall, a restored community theater , jazz club and loft apartments on upper levels. Need art that is edgier and more experimental.
Schematic designs have been completed for this and the Mott Block.
Other venues are wary of downtown because of safety and appearance, There is a need for parking for days and weekend events. |
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Sat Nov 10, 2018 4:35 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Urban Planning and Design
Need a distinct image, a central marketplace, and a two way street system designed for on-street parking. There must be quality and comfortable open spaces such as small and moderate size parks. Pedestrians are more important than automobiles. minimize above and below grade walkways (Riverbank Park to put pedestrians on the streets. Hold frequent local and regional festivals. Encourage an active publicly accessible riverfront.
Strengthen the Saginaw Street District from Court to Kearsley Street between Harrison and Beach. Implement the Saginaw Streetscape Project. Started in fall of 2002 and will be completed in 2003. There will be new street trees, lighting and street furniture installed. Establish downtown residential neighborhood , improve traffic flow and parking. This in combination of facade restoration being made on various buildings and assisted by the Mott Foundation. |
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Sat Nov 10, 2018 5:03 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Relocate the bus transfer station from the current location on Second Street between Harrison and Wallenberg) to First Street between Church and Beach. The relocation site is located closest to the concentration of office buildings and financial institutions and the large parking garage spanning Beach Street (now demoed) This creates an opportunity for an intermodal transportation Center that could serve broader regional transportation needs.
Relocate the Farmers Market to the current bus station transfer station. The reinvestment strategy calls or new residential neighborhoods on the east side of downtown. This relocation provides an opportunity for adjacent residential neighborhoods to generate more activity for downtown.
Encourage mixed use redevelopment in vacant buildings ,the Mott Block and the Capitol Theatre. |
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Sat Nov 10, 2018 5:27 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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MOTT BLOCK
Vacancies on east side of Saginaw (south of Mott building between First and Second Street)are suitable for mixed use redevelopment program such as retail, restaurants, nightclubs, performing arts theatre, museums, all with residential uses above. "This is emblematic of the new vision of Flint" and serves to attract more residents , customers and visitors to downtown .
Capitol Theatre
Should be part of the first phase as a redevelopment initiative. This is a venue that can draw cultural events and performing artists to augment the more traditional programming that occurs at Whiting Auditorium and the Flint Cultural Center. |
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Sat Nov 10, 2018 5:39 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Establish downtown residential neighborhoods
develop residential"infill" in the west end neighborhood between Saginaw Street and Grand Traverse. Provide more market rate housing downtown.
Reinforce redevelopment efforts in adjacent Grand Traverse neighborhoods.
New residential neighborhoods
development of multi family housing along Wallenberg.
create pedestrian connections to U of M on the north
incorporate existing apartment buildings
take advantage of the YMCA and the YWCA
make pedestrian improvements to Second St., Third st. and Court st/ brides over I-475 and expand downtown activities for the neighborhoods. |
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Sat Nov 10, 2018 7:32 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Other parts of the plan included bringing Riverbank Park up to a grade level, a park ehind City hall, extending Kearsley Street through the U of M campus and crating an active publicly accessible waterfront.
When Herman addressed the council he discussed how $230 million had already been spent on downtown.
U of M White building $41 million
Cultural Center $15 million (master plan)
Greater flint Arts Council $1 million
Kearsley Park $5 million
Kettering 436 million
University Park $9 million |
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Sat Nov 10, 2018 7:51 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Councilman Johnny Coleman asked Herman how would partnerships for the neighborhoods work and what about the neighborhoods outside the Master Plan for downtown. He also brought up the use of block grant funds for the brick work downtown.
Herman said his role with the Focus Council and Uptown redevelopment was downtown.
Councilman Ed Taylor was late because of a previous meeting. Taylor stated he hopes the group doesn't use a lot of block grant dollars as there are a lot of dilapidated neighborhoods where these funds could make a difference.
Taylor specifically addressed the plans for the Genesee Towers building. I the ensuing dialog Taylor asked why URC did not make an offer for the building.
It would be a good idea- if they are going to " bring back downtown". Taylor informed Herman he was aware of some "back door" plan to obtain the building . The URC should inquire what it would take o buy it.
Herman, when asked about the Durant Hotel stated it was on the URC back burner because of the high cost to renovate. |
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Sat Nov 10, 2018 8:18 am |
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