(03/11/13) - They have an ambitious goal to tear down Genesee Towers in downtown Flint before the city's biggest summer events, including Back to the Bricks and the Crim.
Uptown Redevelopment Corporation says it's moving forward with the project. The building's title and ownership still has to be transferred to Uptown before anything can be done.
Uptown President Tim Herman says that should happen within the next month.
After sitting vacant for years, the 19-story Genesee Towers building has deteriorated into a downtown eye sore.
Now Uptown hopes to level the building by late August, just in time for one of the city's biggest events - the Crim Festival of Races. Herman said an engineering study determined it would cost $6 million just to get the building back to code and $40 million more to renovate and then find a tenant.
Last year, outgoing city emergency manager Mike Brown sold Genesee Towers to Uptown Redevelopment Corporation for $1.
With a community block grant from the city worth $750,000 and $3.2 million raised by Uptown, the money should be in place to bring the building down within months.
"It will probably be imploded on a Sunday and we would bring the experts in who have done a number of these buildings across the country to do this work. The building is in deplorable shape, and people quite frankly are resistant to change and it's difficult, but we know this is the right thing to do, just as a tore down Tigers Stadium," said Uptown President Tim Herman.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:24:31 GMT
(06/19/13) - Thousands of teachers, administrators, and parents are rallying for public education at the state capitol in Lansing. The Save Michigan's Public School Rally is expected to last a couple
Thousands of teachers, administrators, and parents are rallying for public education at the state capitol in Lansing.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:18 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:18:17 GMT
(06/19/13) - Two local businesses are teaming up to make sure seniors are safe behind the wheel. Suski Chevrolet Buick in Birch Run and Hurley Medical Center are hosting a CarFit Check for older drivers,
Two local businesses are teaming up to make sure seniors are safe behind the wheel.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:26 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:26:11 GMT
(06/19/13) - In Bay City, an elderly couple had to be pulled through their bedroom windows to safety after their home caught fire. Firefighters showed up around 6 Wednesday morning and saw smoke billowing
In Bay City, an elderly couple had to be pulled through their bedroom windows to safety after their home caught fire.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:25 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:25:11 GMT
(06/19/13) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved $1.2 million in emergency dredging to re-open the Saginaw River to shipping. Heavy rains this year sent sediment down the river, restricting
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved $1.2 million in emergency dredging to re-open the Saginaw River to shipping.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:24:50 GMT
(06/19/13) - The city of Flint will be laying off more than two dozen workers when its recently approved budget goes into effect. Last month, Emergency Manager Ed Kurtz approved a budget that begins
The city of Flint will be laying off more than two dozen workers when its recently approved budget goes into effect.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:31 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:31:03 GMT
Fast-moving storms left behind some long-term damage. Yesterday's storm ripped down power lines, and crews are working through the night to turn the lights back on.
Fast-moving storms left behind some long-term damage. Monday's storms ripped down power lines, and crews are working through the night to turn the lights back on.
