Carriage Town group discusses Spencer Mortuary

The Carriage Town District Neighborhood Association (CTDNA) July 31 discussed Spencer's mortuary, bylaw changes and Jackson Hardy House site plans.

The scheduled general membership meeting was canceled because the group did not have a quorum but a board meeting was held instead.

President Tim Monahan told members that the city was seeking approval from the Historic District Commission (HDC) to demolish Spencer's mortuary on the corner of University Avenue and Grand Traverse. He told members that the commission will deny the request because the city doesn't have standing to demolish it.

The CTDNA board previously agreed that they did not want to tear it down. Monahan said in September he will ask the HDC to approve removal of the northwest addition to the back of the mortuary. The addition was a loading dock or freezer. The group allocated $200 to tarp and repair holes in the Spencer Mortuary roof to stop leaks until more can be done. Members commented that this type of work would not need a city permit because it was only done to less than 25 percent of the surface area.

The neighborhood association will not force Bill Gainey to resign from the board of directors although he recently moved back into the Grand Traverse neighborhood, south of the Flint River. The association's bylaws state that to be a member or serve on the board, a person must be 18 years old and reside or own property in the neighborhood.

Gainey's partner still owns their house in Carriage Town, but since the state of Michigan does not recognize civil partnerships, Gainey would be unable to serve on the board.

Previous exceptions have included David White who represented the Durant-Dort Office Building during his term with the association and John Knickerbocker who represents Carriage Town Ministries and serves on the board but does not live in the neighborhood.

"I do like serving here but I wouldn't be offended if I had to resign," Gainey said.

He noting that such exceptions can lead the group down "a slippery slope."

Monahan suggested the association take a more progressive stance and recognize civil partnerships.

The group decided to allow Gainey to serve until the January elections where the group will also look at their bylaws.

A $1,000 Community Foundation of Greater Flint minigrant was used to pay Rowe Engineering to render plans for a green space and small monument on the corner of University Avenue and Garland Street at the site of the Jackson-Hardy House. The house and the UM-Flint Urban Alternatives House that was next door were destroyed by arson in October.

The design is a low-impact passive recreation area that enhances the site's historic significance and includes a small monument that will be placed on the corner. The rendering only cost $500. The association will use the other $500 for materials at the location.

The group agreed to sign a quit-claim and charge Flint Neighborhood Improvement and Preservation Project $1 for a vacant lot west of a recently renovated structure at 307 University Ave. The property, formerly the site of Stiltz Realty, had a driveway poured on its west side, which encroached 14 inches onto the CTDNA lot. Flint NIPP wants the lot so it can be surveyed and attached to 307 W. University Ave. and the site can receive a certificate of occupancy.

In other news, members have been mowing 34 Genesee County Land Bank properties in three-section cycles, spending a week on each section. Volunteers are using a donated tractor and personal lawnmowers to do the work. The association is being paid $500 per section and the group plans to earn $3,000 by the end of the summer.

The board of directors will meet at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Good Beans Café, 328 N. Grand Traverse Ave. A general membership potluck will be held Dec. 29. Call (517) 862-6715 for more details.

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