Has anyone ever completed a target market analysis for downtown Flint? What is the reality of bring thousands of residences downtown without working on the existing neighborhoods first? I dont know that Genesee County can produce and retain the young, single, and professional populations that would thrive downtown anywhere near the scale of GR.
Perhaps concentrating on student housing and the connection between UM-F and Kettering is key, along with community development efforts in the surrouding neighborhoods. I may suffer from a lack of vision, but I see downtown success coming from small steps and from serving and being served by local populations before I see any massive influx of gentrification and regional entertainment venues. I suppose I am also biased in that I feel a true success story for downtown is one in which downtown does serve locals and visitors alike, not just visitors and in-migrants checking out the FIA or working in a high-rise.
Autoworld has proven that 'if you build it, they will come' theory does not always apply. It has also shown how a lack of proper planning can lead to a waste of resouces geared toward non-residents. Frankly speaking, this whole forum appears geared toward development pertaining to visitors, future employees, and in-migrants. I cannot help but question how lucrative such development will be for the rest of Flint. Doubtless it will help, but who is really being served by a $5 million check for a parking deck?
hmmmm...this post reads more like a rant. Pardon me please. I am in an unusually cynical mood. I will return later with more postive and contructive thoughts.
