Flint, Michigan – A $250,000 boost in grant funds has been authorized by the Michigan Strategic Fund board as a first step toward revitalizing downtown Flint. With this increase, the overall funding for Revitalization and Placemaking grants—which are meant to revitalize important parts of the city—is now $10.25 million.
Relocating the Flint Children’s Museum will be made possible in large part by the additional funding. The region is predicted to witness a revitalization with the museum’s planned relocation to the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department building. This move is a part of a larger project to restore and repurpose significant Flint downtown buildings.
Other projects receiving the grant include the restoration of the ancient Masonic Temple structure and the creation of Marion Hall Housing. The Greater Flint Arts Council facility will likewise undergo improvements.
Kristina Johnston, Chief Operating Officer of Flint & Genesee Group, highlighted the significance of this funding boost.
“This additional investment will help Flint’s downtown corridor continue developing arts, amenities, and mixed-income housing opportunities,” said Kristina Johnston, Chief Operating Officer of Flint & Genesee Group. “It will also support the meaningful work of our partners and bring Genesee County closer to its vision of becoming a top-five community in Michigan by 2040.”
The state is clearly committed to meeting Flint’s developmental needs as seen by the increase in funding, which brings the final award amount closer to the original request of $11.5 million.
Families and educators are especially thrilled about the Flint Children’s Museum move because it promises to offer a better and more accessible setting for kids to learn and explore. With more people likely to visit the museum at its new site in the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department building, the local economy is also expected to benefit.
Flint’s architectural legacy will be preserved and more housing options will be created by improvements to the Masonic Temple and Marion Hall Housing buildings. The improvements to the Greater Flint Arts Council facility will guarantee that the arts remain a major component of Flint’s charm and provide a more comprehensive cultural experience for both locals and tourists.