After four years of work, the first residents are moving into Clark Commons, the first of four developments planned through the $30-million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative.
Phase I construction at Clark Commons (Smith Village) includes a total of 62 mixed-income units, which are scheduled for completion this summer. Additional units also are expected to become available in the next month. Anyone interested in living at Clark Commons should reach out to Premier Property Management by calling (810) 373-5600, online at www.clarkcommons.net or sending an email to clarkcommons@4premier.net.
It is so exciting to see families begin moving into Clark Commons. This is an important investment in Flint neighborhoods. We are continuing to move Flint forward through prayer, planning, and partnership,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley said.
The City of Flint, the Flint Housing Commission, Norstar Development, and many community partners hosted the official grand opening on December 16, 2020. The online event was complete with ribbon cutting by Mayor Neeley, Flint Housing Commission Director Harold Ince, property manager Patrick Julian and 5th Ward Councilperson Gerri Winfrey-Carter broadcast live from Clark Commons. If you missed the event, it is still available for viewing via this link: https://fb.watch/39CYnhNejE/.
Construction is expected to begin this summer or early fall on Phase 2 of construction, which will consist of 30 attached single family buildings containing 87 1-,2-,3-, and 4- bedroom apartment units in addition to a separate community building. Site plans are available for viewing at https://www.imagineflint.com/pages/choice-neighborhoods-initiative.
As for future phases, the team is preparing to submit a 9 percent Low Income Housing Tax Credit application and site planning remains under way for the fourth and final phase along the south side of the development.
The Flint Choice Neighborhood team has been working steadily on the acquisition of CSX railroad property to be developed into Grand Traverse Greenway Trail.
As of December 30, 2020, the team is proud to announce the closing of purchasing the property after more than 10 years of effort.
The team is now working diligently to secure funding to ensure proper environmental remediation of the land as well as construction of the non-motorized, paved trail.
Other neighborhood improvements are coming to the south Flint area through demolition, residential and commercial rehab, vacant lot reuse, park improvements, and much more.
During this time, the team also mourned the passing of Danielle Brown, a friend, partner and author of the People Plan that is central to our Choice Neighborhoods work. Brown served as partnership director for the Flint and Genesee County Literacy Network. She already is sorely missed.
For more information on the South Flint Community Plan or to get involved with the neighborhood improvement projects, visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/ChoiceSFCP. You can also contact the City of Flint’s project coordinator, Kristin Stevenson, at kstevenson@cityofflint.com or (810) 766-7426 x2065.
