Eight Flint based investors came together in 2002 and formed Uptown Developments LLC. Have you heard of it?  In the group’s own words, they are

“…focused on redeveloping downtown Flint into a vibrant neighborhood consisting of loft apartments, restaurants, offices, entertainment and cultural venues.”

I like the sound of that!  If you haven’t heard of Uptown Developments, I bet you have heard of at least one of its partners. I have. One of them built my subdivision and another one has put a lot of food in my belly.

Uptown Development LLC supports Flint’s current trend of “changing gears” from “factory town” to “college town.” Critics of Flint’s current condition and potential haven’t been paying very close attention. Despite what has been said, Flint IS moving on from being dependent on General Motors and is turning into a smorgasbord  of entertainment, education, and culture.  With UM Flint at the center’ instead of manufacturing, it might not be long before we become a “Little Ann Arbor” instead of “Little Detroit.”  I can see that happening if I close my eyes and think above perceived barriers. Can you?

I mean, I could more easily imagine it before our revitalization programs became in jeopardy, and police force and educators were under fire, but I will shut up about that. I promised I wouldn’t go there here, but it’s so hard for me sometimes!

So anyway, yeah, Little Ann Arbor – with University of Michigan, Kettering University, Mott College, and an outstanding Cultural Center. I don’t know if we take it for granted because we live here, or if over the years Flint’s decline overshadowed the treasures we have, but the Flint Institute of Arts, Flint Institute of Music, Sloane Museum, and Longway Planearium are great assets to our community. When is the last time you took advantage of any of them?

Flint is so much more vibrant than it was a decade ago, that’s not news. Unless you’re one of those people on the outskirts that prefers to speak negatively about it, despite not having been here in five years to see what’s happening. But for myself, I’ve been so focused on what a great place it is to find things to DO that I have not noticed what a great place it has become to LIVE.

Are you thinking about renting? Have you considered leasing a downtown Flint loft? The architecture is AMAZING and it is so convenient to downtown. I would have loved living in one of these back in the day. If you aren’t familiar with downtown loft living, check out what’s available at Uptown Developments.