Opinion: I object to any change in this delightful and historic block

The charm and historic value, of course, lies not in the individual homes but in their collective history. I lived for many years at 1009 Manning Court and took great comfort and in the property line marker that included the Dort family emblem. These homes are the real reminders of the great home that belonged to one of Flint - outstanding families.

In addition, the Cultural Center and FIM - plans fly in the face of contemporary thinking about walkable communities. Good planning for the center should have included town-house or apartment buildings on the site behind Manning so that families would live in proximity to the Cultural Center, the Flint Public Library and the downtown and university communities. It is a planning mistake to remove residences and force visitors to use cars to attend events at the Cultural Center.

Finally, I drive by the area daily. There is currently ample parking for virtually every conceivable event at the Flint Institute of Music, Sarvis Center and the Whiting. Planners must resist the attempt to plan parking for 365 days that is needed only three or four days a year " for only a few hours per day. We must avoid the idea that parking should be within a few feet of any building entrance to be acceptable.

In short, I urge you to retain the charming and historic nature of the "little street with the lovely houses" that so many people identify with across the greater Flint community.

Jack D. Minore, Commonwealth Avenue