Opinion: Flint - history under attack

The district was one of the first historic districts recognized by city ordinance in 1979. The homes were built by J. Dallas Dort as part of his Kearsley Street estate, designed by Charles S. Manning. Manning was also responsible for the design of the Flint park system.

Rather than working under the "Cool City" strategy, the Flint Cultural Center, at the urging of board members of the Flint Institute of Music, has taken a huge step backward to the days of the 1960s when demolition for parking lots was a common occurrence.

These two community institutions have refused to sit down with the Genesee County Historical Society to discuss a way to build a new parking lot behind these houses and preserve the rich history of Manning Court as part of the Flint Cultural Center. They feel that the houses should go so that parking will be available right at their back door for their patrons. However, the nearest parking spots (20) at the rear of the building, today are reserved for staff rather than for their patrons.

Many feel that Manning Court should be preserved, perhaps used as a drop-off point for the patrons of the Flint Institute of Music and an outdoor plaza where outdoor performances and events could happen in good weather. Putting the parking lot behind the Manning Street Houses would not require the patrons to walk any farther to the building than patrons of the Flint Farmers' Market, Red Ink Studios, Sloan Museum, Whiting Auditorium or even Genesee Valley Mall have to walk to their buildings.

A restored area with Victorian pedestrian lighting, gardens, and homes would be an attraction to the Cultural Center and create a sense of culture and safety. The center has owned these houses for some time and has collected rents making few or no repairs to the structures. Restored, they could bring in higher rents, provide office space on campus for the Cultural Center offices or housing for visiting performers, the Flint Symphony conductor and others.

The Flint Cultural Center was built to include the preservation of Flint - history but preservation has taken a back seat to the performing arts since the inception of the Flint Cultural Center Corporation. It is time for us to unite and demand that the Flint Cultural Center preserve these historic homes and to use their vacant land behind the houses for their proposed parking lot.

Help make Flint "Cool." Stop this unnecessary demolition. Call the Flint Cultural Center and show your support by attending the Flint Historic District Commission meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 on the third floor of City Hall.