College Cultural group discusses abandoned properties, downtown parking meters

The College Cultural Neighborhood Association Jan. 21 discussed abandoned properties, stimulus funds and parking meters for downtown.

Doug Weiland, director of the Genesee County Land Bank, discussed the "Huge numbers of foreclosed and abandoned properties" in Flint. One third of all property in Flint is abandoned, he said, 12,000 vacant lots and 6,000 vacant houses. The Land Bank owns 3,000 lots in the city, and hopes to own more than 1,000 more in the coming year.

Since 2005, the average price of a house in the city has fallen from $58,000 to $15,000. Decreasing property tax and income tax revenue are contributing to the city deficit, he said.

Weiland said the NSP2 (Neighborhood Stabilization Program) stimulus funds coming to Flint are "a real windfall." Weiland explained the NSP money must be put toward rehabilitating  and redeveloping foreclosed houses.

The Land Bank's Clean and Green Program, he said, will be entering its second season soon. The program engages neighborhood associations and nonprofits to maintain vacant lots in exchange for a small amount of money. The program, Weiland said, encourages people to take pride in their properties and neighborhoods. The program emphasizs the development of community gardens. The Lank Bank now owns 115 community gardens. Some are growing crops which residents share and give to the needy.

Sgt. Lloyd Nicholson of MCC public safety introduced two new community policing officers employed by MCC, Eric Young and Tim Murley. Nicholson explained Mott officers are sworn police officers with full powers of arrest. They patrol the MCC campus as well as a one-mile radius around MCC. He encouraged residents to call with any concerns they have.

“We work hand in hand with Flint police,” he said.

Councilman Dale Weighill (Ward 7) discussed Councilman Scott Kincaid's (Ward 9) proposal to bring back parking meters to downtown Flint. The meters were taken off the streets several years ago, after being repeatedly vandalized. The Flint City Council estimates the meters could bring $3,000 in yearly revenue and are looking for a model that will discourage theft.

Jack Minore said the meters in downtown Lansing bring in a million dollars a year and could serve as a model for Flint.

One resident asked Weighill if he thought the parking meters would discourage people from going downtown. Weighill said he did not think so because the meter fee will be small.

Another resident said former UM-Flint students working downtown still use the campus parking lots, years after graduation. If UM-Flint enforced their own rules on parking it would force people to use the meters and parking structures, she said.

The group will next meet next at 7 to 9 p.m. March 18 at MCC's Regional Technology Center. Visit www.ccnaflint.org for more information.