VeeFan

All I saw on the LBC (that saves some time to write ) were windows on the brick side, nothing on the other. From the way it looks, I would assume that there is still so more work that has to be done on the modern half before windows can go in there. The office space faces Kearsley mainly. I'm not sure what's going on there, but there was a dumpster sitting outside and you could hear work being done on the interior.

Windows were being installed in the Land Bank when I was arriving at U of M this morning. Shouldn't be too long now before interior work really gets started. Speaking of U of M, I'm not sure what's going on, but it looks like the first floor of the Harrison St. Parking structure (the brown one across from French Hall, not the Pavilion structure) is being renovated for new offices or something. I never really paid attention before, but there are offices in there. Also, I was just listening on ABC12 about a plan by the Genesee Growth Alliance to bring wire-free access to all over Genesee County. I hope they get the funding for this project, because it'll be something to start attracting more companies to Flint.

What does that even mean? Make downtown bigger yourself? I don't understand...

A few years ago a project like this would have been completely unheard of for downtown, this is really starting to show how the city is beginning to progress. I hope for the sake of downtown it's not on Saginaw Street, so that people start spreading around in downtown. I know I had asked about this before, but what's happening with that University Square that's across from University Park? I was driving by it yesterday and I noticed there was a new sign up saying 'Opening Soon' and there were a lot of construction trucks and vans parked in the parking lot.

Now that it's spring again, I'd really like to see more places along the Flint River looking like it does along the U of M campus. Just having this wide open grassy area where people could go to have picnics or just relax, there really aren't any great parks in Flint where people could do that. But if it's downtown, then more people might do that and feel more safe than say a park on the north end. Part of the concrete wall still extends down in front of French Hall, but it's overgrown with ivy and there are all kinds of flowers growing along it. It's just such an attractive area and it'd do wonders for downtown if there were more places like this along the river.

I don't think the top of the house building would make for too attractive of a balcony. But maybe the roof of the Land Bank center could become a rooftop garden for the people in the First Street Lofts to look into? And the construction may be waking a sleeping giant.

I think with so many projects starting to take place in downtown, it's really going to help change the image of downtown being unsafe to walk on the streets....well from crime at least, being crushed by the crumbling Genesee Towers is another story. You know, that's such a great picture, until you see that house facade! With that being so close, I don't understand why the Land Bank owners didn't just buy that building, add a floor to it, and incorporate it into the former H&H to give more floor space. While I'm thinking of this again, the building I saw with the supposed stain-glass window thing is a dark building next to Paul's Pipeshop. And the other building is the one with the Carriage sign on it, but it's actually a strip of glass going along one of the sides, not just a single window.

I noticed that today as I was going through the skywalk at U of M, but the scaffolding they had up today was on the side of the building with no windows...

From the outside, you wouldn't imagine how expansive the auditorium is! The interior is meant to resemble a Greek garden, and make the audience feel as though they're outside. The ceiling is painted sky blue and I think there are some clouds, but I can't remember for sure. But make sure never too look up while standing, because you can easily get vertigo. The lobby has a disfunct fountain and holes in the ceiling have allowed birds in over the years and the backstage area is a total mess. It doesn't look like it was fit for a benefit concert were Bon Jovi and several other bands performed in the last concert in the Capitol.

$20? Wow! It had only been about $5 -$6 mil about three ago.

Thanks for the picture! I don't know if it's just the picture, but it's really hard to distinguish Theater when it changes. It's great to get some signs of life going in the parts of downtown off of Saginaw Street. Now if only someone will come along with $5 or 6 million to finance the restoration of the interior. Has anyone been inside the Capitol in the past two years at all to know if they have tried to start doing any renovations? I was in there three years ago, and the most they had really done was in the basement, and that was still pretty sad.

Maybe I had just looked too fast then and saw the scaffolding for the Land Bank, because I could have sworn there was scaffolding going up the front of the First Street Lofts, not just on the sides.

When did you go downtown today? By the time I left U of M this afternoon at around 4:30, scaffolding had gone up on the first floor of the First Street Lofts. And I just noticed the little sign that finally calls it First Street Lofts. And maybe it's just me, but I get the feeling that perhaps the blue thing is going to be used for signage.

I'll let you know what I think of this blue thing when I see it tomorrow on from U of M.

I looked at the Uncommon Sense site, and that's not what I'm talking about. lol What I've seen isn't by any other windows, and you can barely even tell at first that it's a stain-glass window. It's at times like this I wish I had a digital camera.... lol

I can't remember now if it's the Lunch Studio that had the thing on it. But it was a section of glass on the upper quarter of the building. It was red, yellow, and I think there was a little bit of green and blue in there too. It there's nothing on the Lunch Studio, then it might be the building with the Carriage on it (I can't think of the name right now).

I could have sworn I made a post in here earlier.... Anyhoo, great pictures. If only something could be done about that ugly house thing, that block would look so much better when the Land Bank renovations are finished. Also, has anyone noticed that a lot of the building with the dark facades have this attempt at stain-glass on some part of the facade? The Lunch Studio has one, and there are a few buildings closer to Court St. that have it also.

As far as I know, the only information about the historic tree park was the article in the Flint Journal a few months ago.

Trying to remember my directions if I'm standing on the other side of the river. lol It looks like it's going to be east of the White Building, and fairly close to the river. It's pretty much going to be in the area between the footbridge and the White Building. Maybe having all these restaurants will be necessary with the number of residential units coming to downtown. ;-) Hint, hint...lol Have you ever noticed on the north side of the First Street Lofts there's a section of the wall that looks like it's brown marble? I noticed it today staring off into space during my Math class... lol

Downtown Flint doesn't have too many restaurants right now, does it? Churchills and the Lunch Studio are the only ones that I can think of off-hand that are in the core concentration of downtown. In the photo of the Ferris building, which white building are we talking about? The one directly next to it, or the one with the arched windows? And I've been meaning to tell about this for at least a week and a half now, but I keep forgetting! lol It looks like work has started on the historic tree park next to the White Building on the U of M campus. I can't wait to see how that will look!

Part of the reconstruction of Pierson Road has been to rebuild the water and sewer systems.

What's this addition to Marion Hall?

Weren't there plans about a year ago to start renovating the Durant Hotel for residential use? I've never seen the inside, but when it was open, wasn't the lobby really elaborate? I know which vacant lot you're talking about. ;-) What used to be there? You can tell that whatever was there before was torn down. Back to Marion Hall once more. What's happening with the awning and the mural lighting?

Grand Opening of the Mega Coney Island set for Thursday, April 28th.

I'm only ever in downtown at noon or just before. lol Stupid pedestrians who won't move out of the way....