The story of Flint, the city that refused to die

In recent history, the city of Flint in the U.S. state of Michigan faced a series of successive crises that brought it to its lowest point. However, a turning point emerged when a non-profit development organization successfully revitalized downtown Flint within a span of 25 years. The transformation turned the once desolate area into a vibrant city center once again, with arts, culture, and festival programming playing pivotal roles in this remarkable recovery.

Flint's narrative mirrors that of numerous other industrial cities in the United States. The burgeoning automobile industry fueled the city's vibrant expansion in the early 20th century. By the 1950s, Flint, proudly known as 'Vehicle City' and home to General Motors, stood as one of the nation's wealthiest urban centers. Its streets were lined with opulent homes, and a surplus of museums and cultural institutions dotted the landscape. However, the city's prosperity took a sharp downturn with the decline of the auto industry.

The initial exodus commenced in the 1970s, and crises struck Flint once again in the 2010s. The most notorious among these challenges was the 2014 water crisis, during which dangerously elevated levels of lead were discovered in the drinking water. Over the past five decades, the city has witnessed a significant population decline, plummeting from 200,000 inhabitants to 80,000. Flint has grappled with its viability ever since, navigating the complex aftermath of economic setbacks and public health crises.

Successful community campaign

The city center had transformed into a desolate landscape during that period. Nearly all the establishments along the main Saginaw Street stood vacant and dilapidated. Visiting downtown held no appeal; in fact, it was notorious as a no-go area. The year 1998 marked a pivotal moment when the building housing the last major store on the main street succumbed to flames. Greg Fiedler, the director of the Greater Flint Arts Council, swiftly took action. His organization is dedicated to supporting emerging arts and culture initiatives in Flint, driven by the conviction that innovative forms of art and culture can play a vital role in revitalizing the city and fostering a sense of community.

As this development company is not for-profit, all profits are immediately invested in other developments

The Arts Council building stood adjacent to the property that had been consumed by fire and found itself slated for demolition. Initially, Greg's primary concern was preserving his own establishment, which housed a significant historical mural. To safeguard his building, he orchestrated a highly successful community campaign. This initiative caught the attention of William S. White, the director of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation—a private organization founded by the industrialist Charles Stewart Mott, a key figure in the establishment of General Motors. In the United States, such philanthropic institutions often assume roles that, in many European countries, are typically handled by the government. These foundations play a pivotal role in shaping the development of American cities.

Buying up properties

Mr. White tasked Greg with investigating how to reverse Flint's downward spiral. With a grant from the foundation, Greg and a team researched successful urban reinvention strategies, finding inspiration in Asheville, North Carolina. In 1999, armed with this idea, they approached the Mott Foundation, leading to the establishment of the non-profit Uptown Reinvestment Corporation. This entity aimed to implement a downtown redevelopment strategy involving various stakeholders, including government, education, business, and charities.

The corporation's objectives encompassed revitalizing the city center for business, employment, and entertainment, supporting existing businesses, promoting entrepreneurship, and increasing downtown residency. Operated as a non-profit, all earnings were promptly reinvested in further developments.

At the outset, Saginaw Street faced a staggering 90% vacancy rate with 15 properties lying dormant. With an $800,000 grant from the State of Michigan, Uptown Reinvestment Corporation managed to acquire 10 of these properties. This initial success catalyzed further progress, with additional properties secured through diverse means, such as a donated building from a bank and strategic purchases. Each property underwent redevelopment, often funded by the Mott Foundation or the State of Michigan.

Inspired by these triumphs, six local commercial developers joined forces in 2002 to establish Uptown Developments LLC. Their mission was to acquire and renovate properties in downtown Flint, sparking a ripple effect of investment. The influx of capital attracted new business ventures, including art galleries, shops, and catering entrepreneurs, breathing new life into the city.

Affordable food

The Saginaw Street properties were succeeded by the Flint Farmers Market premises, among other notable locations. Established in 1937, the Flint Farmers Market has played a crucial role as a communal gathering place for the local residents for several decades. Such weekly markets hold significant importance as anchors in numerous US cities, serving various purposes. Primarily, in economically challenged cities like Flint, where supermarkets are scarce within city limits, access to fresh and affordable food is a challenge for the often impoverished population. In mid-2002, Uptown assumed management responsibilities for the market.

One of the first actions was to move the market to a more central location: the old printing office of the defunct local newspaper. The building that used to house the printing presses was redeveloped especially for this market. Additional parking space and a covered outdoor area especially for local farmers was also created. Visitors to the market increased immediately, surpassing in the first few weeks the total number of visitors for the entire previous year. New life was coming to downtown Flint again.

The icing on the cake was the arrival of hotel chain Hilton to downtown Flint

Now that buildings were on the rise, it was time to focus on getting people back downtown. The Uptown team undertook extensive efforts to forge partnerships with various educational institutions, notably the University of Michigan. Uptown successfully repurposed the deserted Hyatt hotel, situated opposite the market, transforming it into student housing units. Facilitating this transformation was a $25 million loan from the Mott Foundation, which eventually converted into a grant, leading to the building being generously donated to the university.

Consequently, Flint has become a magnet for an increasing number of students, providing a solid foundation for the burgeoning coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, and clubs in the area. Presently, Flint hosts a thriving community of 13,500 students, encompassing those from Kettering University and Mott Community College. This student population constitutes almost a fifth of the city's total inhabitants, which stands at 80,000.

The icing on the cake was the arrival of hotel chain Hilton to downtown Flint. The chain moved into an Art Deco bank building redeveloped by Uptown in 2019. At last, Flint has a luxury hotel again and it is seen as a major milestone in the way back up. In its wake followed the development of a number of apartment buildings, including new-build properties. There is now a waiting list for all residential projects.

Creative placemaking

Currently, only two properties on Saginaw Street persist in their old, impoverished state, as their owners remain unwilling to sell. In contrast, the remaining properties have undergone refurbishment, with their ground floors now housing a vibrant array of shops and restaurants. Despite this positive transformation, many entrepreneurs still grapple with the challenge of generating sufficient sales.

Recognizing the need for revitalization, Flint places significant emphasis on 'creative placemaking.' The city leverages art, culture, festivals, and events as key drivers of its resurgence. The epicenter of this cultural renaissance is evident in initiatives such as the highly successful Art Walk, a monthly event that attracts both locals and visitors. Additionally, the summer months are marked by a bustling festival calendar.

Greg emphasizes,"While we may lack beaches or traditional tourist attractions, our city boasts some of the nation's premier cultural institutions. Arts and culture are woven into the fabric of our community, embedded in our DNA, and we are harnessing that rich heritage to drive positive change."

Flint has successfully established its defining characteristic, with numerous festivals and cultural events serving as its hallmark. These vibrant gatherings draw in thousands of attendees annually, not only from Flint and its surrounding region but also from across the country and, at times, from other nations. The local shops, cafes, and restaurants significantly benefit from this influx, relying on these activities for their sustained existence. Undoubtedly, art and culture play pivotal roles in propelling Flint's commercial expansion.

Notably, Flint boasts a 'festival incubator,' a unique initiative that aids talented organizers in scaling up their events. The Mott Foundation contributes significantly to this transformative landscape by funding various cultural and placemaking initiatives.

In 25 years, Flint managed to turn the tide. From a ghost centre to a bustling downtown, full of shops, restaurants and clubs. Flint, 'the city that refuses to die', recovered at the initiative of the local community by cleverly mobilising both funding and people.