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http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/bu...t_eyesore.html

Another downtown Flint eyesore eyed for improvements
by Joe Lawlor | The Flint Journal
Friday October 03, 2008, 7:08 PM

FLINT, Michigan -- Another downtown eyesore could be on its way out, replaced by a new retail/office building.

The Metropolis, 510 S. Saginaw St., a former dance club that hosted local bands as recently as 2005, could be torn down and replaced with a new three-story building.

The Community Foundation of Greater Flint, which this May moved into its own new digs on South Saginaw Street, plans to spend an estimated $3 million to $4 million to construct the new building, said foundation President Kathi Horton.

Horton said she's optimistic that the deal will fall into place, hopefully within the next month.

Horton said members of the nonprofit decided that they wanted to do more to help downtown Flint besides moving into its new building.

"We want to keep the momentum going. It's the right thing to do," Horton said.

She said the foundation is currently in negotiations with three tenants that would occupy office space. She said she couldn't name the potential tenants until they are signed.

A retail store on the first floor would be determined once the other tenants are signed, but she said perhaps it could be a convenience store.

"That's obviously what's missing in downtown, a place where you can go pick up a gallon of milk or a quick something," Horton said.

Horton said there's now a strong belief that downtown is undergoing a renaissance, and that's giving the foundation the confidence to do the Metropolis deal. In addition to the foundation building, the new Wade Trim and Rowe Engineering buildings have been built downtown. Also, HealthPlus of Michigan might move its headquarters from Flint Township to downtown.

"We've had so many people come into our building and say, 'Wow, it's really happening,'" Horton said, referring to a downtown rebound.

The foundation also is working on bringing a restaurant to the first floor of its building on South Saginaw, but Horton said she's not sure if and when that would happen.

Horton said if the new building becomes a reality, it would also mean that nearly the entire block of Saginaw Street between the Rowe Engineering building and the Community Foundation building will have been renovated.

Phil Shaltz, part-owner of the Metropolis building, confirmed he is in negotiations to sell the building to the Community Foundation.

Shaltz said the Metropolis is "not very attractive" and it makes sense to replace it.

"It would bring more stability to the neighborhood," said Shaltz, also of Uptown Developments, which co-owns the Wade Trim, Rowe and Community Foundation buildings.