Flint, Michigan – City of Flint officials have proposed to turn the location of the former Flint Farmers Market into a dynamic, multifarious urban area in a major effort to revitalize the center of Flint. Owned by the city and formerly leased to Uptown Reinvestment Corporation (URC), the 5-acre property at 420 E. Boulevard Drive is slated for significant renovations with demolition of the current buildings, a first step toward reconstruction.
The city is acting proactively to confront ongoing decay and ready for new opportunities by opting to destroy the run-down market buildings, which have become a public safety issue due of structural flaws discovered in a recent engineering evaluation. URC will supervise the demolition process; it has been managing the property on a nominal lease since 2009. This covers the preservation of historical components, including original steel support joists meant for integration into upcoming construction.
Up until its move in 2014 to a new location, the original Flint Farmers Market was a community cornerstone. Attempts to repurpose the former site have failed since then, which has resulted in its present condition of ruins. Under the lease agreement, URC has been in charge of all property maintenance and upgrade expenses. The city’s decision to destroy the current structures is considered as a required action to open the path for a new construction that may better meet the demands of the community.
Seeking partners for the site’s renovation, Flint’s Department of Business and Community Services is getting ready to submit an RFP by the end of 2024. Reflecting the area’s status as a “City Corridor” in the Imagine Flint Comprehensive Plan, the city plans a dynamic mix of residential, retail, and entertainment venues that appeal to a diverse population. By encouraging a range of uses including pedestrian-friendly amenities improving connection and livability, this zoning seeks to maximize economic potential.
The comprehensive plan identifies City Corridors as important sites for development that support mixed-use, multi-story, street-front structures integrating ground-floor commercial space with residential living. Such improvements are meant to appeal to businesses as well as residents, potentially including supermarkets and major stores, thus helping to revive the metropolitan scene.
The way the city approaches this initiative has focused on community involvement and transparency. Flint citizens are urged to keep informed and engage in the bidding and proposal procedures, which are transparently carried out in line with federal and state laws as well as city own procurement policies.
Residents may get more information or address specific inquiries about the redevelopment process by contacting Emily Doerr of the City of Flint at [email protected]. Aiming to turn a once-neglected site into a vibrant hub meeting the changing requirements of its community, this reconstruction marks a promising chapter for Flint.