Imagination here

[Imagination]

Hello all,

I am a sophomore at the Univ of Mich-Flint and I have lived in flint all my life.  I want to encourage each and every one of you to look inside of yourself and create the vision that you want Downtown to be and act upon it when you feel the time is right.  I also want us to spill our ideas to each other about what we feel will bring people downtown.  Who knows, there may be business people and entrepreneurs watching and looking at this site and they might take action. We can change downtown for the better.  I know I will someday after I graduate. (..........sigh)........now all I need is for somebody to through me the money to do it...........(laughing).......



-Imagination

[Kelley]

I think it will be cool if the business thats already down there would stay open longer. and hopefully the new businesses will be open longer than 5pm. I also would like to see a couple of new shopping stores that offer a little bit of everything. When me and dnast went to Ann Arbor they had so many different shops. they had a book store, ice cream shop, cool stuff like wood carving bowls and stuff like that in one store ( i believe it was for decoration of the house), well other stuff like that. I think that really would bring downtown alive instead of having office space being the only thing available in most of them at least move them to a different part of downtown.

[MrCoffee]

For Flint to succeed, downtown would have to become a residential, educational, and shopping district.  Buildings that are offices should be converted to mixed-use, both business and residential.  Other cities have residential buildings where the residents live above the businesses, and use a separate entrance to gain access to their homes.  Coffee shops, bistros, theaters, specialty stores, public libraries, and other such amineties will help draw more students to Flint.  Those places should be open 24 hours per day, if possible.  The U of M in Flint should be a residential college, rather than just a commuter campus.  The same should be for Mott Community College and Kettering University.  

More funding should be made possible for Flint's school system if possible, to improve the chances of students being prepared for college-level studies.  Those students can later take advantage of post secondary educational opportunities in their area, rather than having to move out of state for college.  An educated public is a draw to businesses, and industry.  An education should be made available to all residents, whether they are 8 years of age, or 80.  

In addition to the downtown area being mixed residential and business,  perhaps Flint should shrug off its General Motors and UAW past and formulate ways to diversify its economy.  Yet, the city should still be open to a new Toyota plant, if Michigan's governor succeeds in getting them to open a new shop in this state (I know, I know...  I sound like I'm dreaming, but anything's possible).  Besides possibly Toyota, pretty much any industrial complex or operation would be of benefit.  As my saying goes: a hungry spider will eat just about anything that looks like food.  So, I suppose it's time for Flint to start spinning that web.  Happy eating...

MrCoffee

[dnast]

I'm a bit late, but welcome to the forum, Imagination!

Mr. Coffee, I pretty much agree with all of that. Thankfully, that's the general master plan for downtown. We need a wider variety of developers getting things done, though.

Oh yeah, I just wanted to point out one thing since I've seen it more than once on these forums - Kettering does, in fact, have dormatories. Although, someone really needs to step up and bring a few shops for those students to go to. It's hard to keep graduates in the city when the campus sits on one of the worst-looking corridors (up until you get to the campus) in the city. I'm really glad the city has plans for beautifying 3rd Ave.

[pachuco]

Welcome to the forum fellas, hope you enjoy it !

[MrCoffee]

I'm a bit late, but welcome to the forum, Imagination!

Mr. Coffee, I pretty much agree with all of that. Thankfully, that's the general master plan for downtown. We need a wider variety of developers getting things done, though.

Oh yeah, I just wanted to point out one thing since I've seen it more than once on these forums - Kettering does, in fact, have dormatories. Although, someone really needs to step up and bring a few shops for those students to go to. It's hard to keep graduates in the city when the campus sits on one of the worst-looking corridors (up until you get to the campus) in the city. I'm really glad the city has plans for beautifying 3rd Ave.

Looking at that corridor, one would think that Flint would be the place where the grads would be the most effective.  Perhaps the school can plant a certain ethic in the minds of those students, regarding what they can do for their city.  And yes, some amenities for them would be especially beneficial.  In Ann Arbor, I notice many places to shop that are actually within walking distance.  Getting farther towards downtown, there are many specialty shops, cafes, restaurants, and night clubs.  It's the same with Ypsilanti, where Eastern Michigan University sits.  Flint is a relatively small town in area, so that can make for some fairly good density.  I hope to visit sometime in the near future, but I have to save for a car first, unfortunately.

MrCoffee