If there were any worries about the old
Flint Journal building sitting empty, those worries have been laid to rest.
When
Uptown Reinvestment Corp. purchased the old Flint Journal building, the first discussion of future plans centered on the possibility of
Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine considering a move to the facility.
And, now, after the school agreed to a 20-year lease, worth $700,000 per year for 40,000 square feet of the former Flint Journal building, that part of the equation of filling up the old building has been brought to fruition.
"We are delighted with today's next step toward expanding our college's program in public health and medical education in downtown Flint and feel that the former Flint Journal building is an ideal setting for learning and research," says Dr. Marsha Rappley, dean of the MSU College of Human Medicine, in a written statement.
"MSU continues to work closely with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Uptown Reinvestment Corporation and other partners on these plans and we look forward to working together to find solutions to important public health issues in Flint."
And, while the MSU move is an important one for the city, it isn’t the most high-profile action at the old Flint Journal building. That designation belongs to the Flint Farmers Market, which will begin operation
That move was announced in March of this year, and it had both supporters and detractors.
Uptown completed a $1.6 million purchase in 2012 that included the old
Flint Journal printing facility, and Tim Herman, president of Uptown and CEO of the
Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, says as early as June of that year the building was being considered as a new site for the farmers' market.
When announcing the move on March 8 of this year, Herman indicated the time had come to pull the trigger.
"The current market is bursting at the seams," Herman says of the site that houses 30 vendors inside the building year-round and 50 more from May to October. "Once the renovations are complete, the new Flint Farmers' Market will occupy more than double its current footprint to 32,000 square feet.
"More people will be exposed to fresh, locally grown foods … The new market will rival the nation's leading small city markets."
But some residents weren't so sure. A petition has been circulating to keep the market at its current location at 420 E. Blvd. Drive, about a half mile north of the old Journal facility.
More than 1,000 signatures were soon collected, and while market manager Dick Ramsdell can see the opposition's point, he says residents will soon realize the benefits of the move.
"Many people have memories of the market at its current location," Ramsdell says. "There is history, ambience and a country-like quietness at the location alongside the river, all of which hold a great attraction.
"However, we are hopeful that the public will embrace the fact that moving into a new and much larger facility offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the market and its vendors to take a significant step into the future."
Comments from a few of the vendors seem to confirm Ramsdell's contention.
"We are very excited about moving to a new location," says Tom Alex, owner of
Knob Hill Meats. "Not only will it be at a new place, but Knob Hill Meats will be expanding our size and our hours of operation to better serve our customers.
"Downtown Flint is a safe and growing area full of many unique and exciting experiences. We are looking forward to seeing all of our regular shoppers there and are looking forward to meeting new customers."
Dan Reyes is the owner of
Mexico at the Market, which has been at the market for about two years.
"I think we have a great opportunity that we should take advantage of," he says.
Art Reyes, UAW Local 651 president, agrees.
"I am excited the Flint Farmers' Market will be right at the center of all the happening that downtown Flint offers," he says. "This will give so many residents and those working downtown a better chance to discover one of Flint's most treasured jewels."
Whether you love or hate the idea of the market moving to the old Journal building, you have to agree that is a better situation than seeing the building sit empty. No one wants that, even former Flint Journal publisher Matt Sharp.
"We knew (Uptown Reinvestment Corporation) would take a thoughtful approach of who and what would use the space in the future," Sharp told the media about the purchase. "It's a great building and it has a lot of potential."
There will be several opportunities at the new site that are not available at the current location. The downtown site will have a commercial kitchen and will feature a large meeting room that seats more than 200. There are plans for cooking demonstrations and culinary classes.
According to Uptown's estimates, the new location will provide 493 parking spaces, which includes 160 spaces in the market's lot and 333 parking spaces in adjacent lots and streets. Parking for those areas also will be free.
Officials say revenue will be greatly enhanced by the market's move to the old Flint Journal facility.
Market managers estimate the market currently attracts more than 270,000 visitors annually and brings in about $5 million in revenue. They say those amounts could be doubled at the new location.
The farmers' market move marks the end of an era that stretches more than seven decades.
The world has changed greatly since the market began doing business at its current site. Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first three-term president when the market moved to its current location at 420 E. Blvd. Drive. The average cost of a new house was $3,920, and the 40-hour work week went into effect. As the world has changed, the market stayed in one place. Now, that is about to change.
The move actually is a relocation to the city center. The market first opened downtown in 1905 before being moved to the North Side location in 1940.
Jeff Barr is a freelance writer who has lived in Michigan for 46 years. You can reach Jeff at barrj88@gmail.com.