Group discusses Central H.S.

The Central Park Neighborhood Association April 16 discussed a proposal submitted to the city of Flint requesting money for neighborhood improvements, plans to clean up the neighborhood and the group’s opposition to boarding up Central High School.

The group is requesting part of the stimulus money the city will get from the federal government. They hope to be among the first to make a request for the funds to better their odds of getting help.

The money would be used to demolish houses, to improve street lighting, repair streets and fix uneven sidewalks.

The group proposes that several houses recently turned over to the Genesee County Land Bank be demolished. Many have been boarded up or burned and are uninhabitable.

Two of the houses the group wants to demolish are at 628 E. Second St. and 924 Eddy St. They have been vacant for some time.

The group has noticed a major lack of lighting in the area, especially along Thomson Street between Second and Kearsley streets. They are concerned for the safety of the long-term residents of the area and the large number of college students that live in the neighborhood.

A letter was to be written to the Board of Education about the Central High School building. The group will request that the board pursue other options for the building rather than allow it to remain vacant or face demolition.

Members support its use by any institution including schools and college expansion projects. They said allowing Powers Catholic High School to use the space would bring more people, jobs and money to the city, which would boost the city’s image and economy.

Plans were confirmed for a neighborhood cleanup that took place on April 25. There were fewer volunteers than expected but Greg Brown, vice president, said they accomplished what needed to be done. He said there were many neighborhood volunteers as well as people from other organizations.

Brown noted that Flint City Council President Jim Ananich, helped the group by providing two garbage trucks for the cleanup. Another neighborhood cleanup will take place in the fall.