Opinion: I'm absolutely horrified by application for demolition

By Leanne Barkus Jan 2007

I have to say I'm absolutely horrified by the application for demolition submitted by the Cultural Center Corporation (of Manning Street Historic District). As a resident of Flint, a supporter of the arts, (in addition to being an artist), a historian and a historic district commissioner for the city of Flint. I have a question or two before getting on my soapbox to fight this irrational, closed minded and disrespectful request.

What kind of "cultural center" does not embrace a historic district " made up of homes commissioned by Dallas Dort " in the center of their campus?

How much of our incredible Flint heritage do we have to lose in the "name of parking" before our community wakes up and realizes the irreversible tragedy we're "allowing" to take place?

Where is the creativity? The appreciation? The culture?

How are we ever going to move ahead when most can't think outside the box towards "adaptable reuse"?

Why isn't the Cultural Center thinking of utilizing these structures for their administrative offices which are currently located off campus?

Convenience?

Living in downtown Flint, convenience is generally not a part of the lifestyle. The location of grocery and drug stores forces a means of transportation as mandatory, just for starters. Hell, we cannot even get a pizza delivered to us.

But amazingly, the Cultural Center and Flint Institute of Music cannot expect their patrons to walk a few extra feet across a quaint, cottage-lined street to and from a parking lot?

This is not a question of Manning Street being the only available land for parking. The fact is, there is an abundance of property on the other side of these homes being proposed for demolition.

The demolition of these homes is purely for convenience sake.