HELP MAINTAIN AND PROTECT "OUR" FLINT CULTURE....
PLANS TO DEMOLISH... On November 2, 2006, the Flint Cultural Center Corporation (FCCC) appeared in front of the Flint Historic District Commission (HDC) to present their case for the demolition of four of the housing located in the Manning Court Historic District. This historic district currently consists of 6 homes located on a quiet country style lane directly behind the Flint Institute of Music (FIM) on the Cultural Center's campus. Last year, the FIM built a large addition on to the rear of their building, facing Manning Court, with obvious intentions of creating this area as their main entrance. The FCCC and FIM were both were fully aware of Manning Court's historic status and in April began the plan of ‘divide and conquer’ of the HDC Commissioners as well as the process to remove and/or demolish the district for their parking lot of convenience.
PARKING OF PLENTY... Beside the blatant disrespect for “Flint’s Culture†and tangible history, the ‘need’ for additional parking has never been proven by FCCC, over and above the abundance of existing parking at the Sloan Museum located next store to the FIM and the Flint Board of Education building, directly across the street on Kearsely. Green space surrounding the area is also available for parking, but the FCCC argues that there is a “line of sight†issue that (in their opinion) intensifies the existing safety concerns.
LIES OF CRIME... Safety and “line of sight†has been addressed on both sides of the table. It is a terrible shame when “urban fright†is preyed upon to achieve an uncreative desired result in a city atmosphere. The current and unfortunate perception of the City of Flint does not need any more baggage. With the low crime statistics in the Cultural Center area and the FCCC claiming otherwise- it makes one wonder if this is a last ditch effort to help resolve the incredible mistake of bad planning… And all to appease those suburbanites who feel the need to park at the front door of their destination? A pedestrian friendly, walk-able city is a safer city, not to mention a healthier city. If safety and “line of sight†were really a concern of FCCC and FIM, than the overgrown and unkempt landscaping would have been addressed, adequate lighting would be plentiful and the very awkward reality regarding the fact that ALL of the door-front and most convenient parking spaces are reserved for “STAFF AND FACULTY PARKING ONLYâ€- would not exist.
COMMISSION OF SHAME... Over and above all of the information above, it is the mission of the Flint Historic District Commission to protect and preserve what few historic resources the City of Flint has left and this current HDC Commission has FAILED. Fluffed with appointed commissioners who have little or no qualifications, respect and/or interest in historic preservation, the motion made to demolish the Manning Court Historic District PASSED with a vote of 4 to 3. Voting for the demolition were Commissioners Steve Heddy, Dale Seumela, Mildred Smith and Jim Rutherford. Apposed to the demolition were Commissioners Ryan Eashoo, (HDC Chair), Nancy Sinclair and Leanne Barkus. Interestingly, all of the Commissioners who were apposed are residents and historic property owners in Historic Carriage Town. With such a rich history, Flint, Michigan has truely suffered from the GM mentality of ‘the newer model is better’, demolition by years of disrespect and neglect, arson and the amazing perceived ‘need’ for parking. These issues have depleted the historic resources to a staggering low... and now the city has a Historic District Commission to add to the list.
IT’S NOT OVER... One of the homes not proposed for demolition is still privately owned. The owner, in partnership with the Genesee County Historical Society, as filed an appeal in Circuit Court to overturn the November 2nd HDC decision to allow demolition. Letters of outrage and support for the preservation of Manning Court are still pouring in to the Flint Journal, Genesee County Historical Society and the City of Flint Historic District Commission (see Contact Information Blog). Concerns from the community are even being voiced in person at the monthly HDC meetings (first Thursday of the month, 5:30 p.m., third floor, Flint City Hall, 1101 S. Saginaw Street, Committee of the Whole Room). A petition of support for the Manning Courts preservation is also be circulated… if interested, send a comment or message.
FLINT HISTORIC DISTRICTS- THE BEGINNING... Manning Court Historic District was one of the original historic districts formed under the City of Flint's ordinance 2707 in 1979. The Flint Bi-Centennial Commission, formed for the U.S. Bi-Centennial suggested that historic districs be formed in the City to protect our local history. A Study Commission was formed in 1975 and its findings resulted in a Historic District Ordinance creation after four years of study. Fifteen districts were identified which included over 176 structures across the city. Another Study Committee formed in 1981, added additional historic properties in 1982, which included Carriage Town (http://www.cthna.org).
BEHIND THE SCENES... Over the last 40 years the Flint Board of Education and the Nature Land Conservancy, working with funding from the C.S. Mott Foundation, slowly purchased property surrounding the Flint Cultural Center. Most of the now vacant property behind Manning Court was filled with homes demolished by the Nature Land Conservacy.
Property previously pruchased by the Flint Board of Education, while they were in control of the Flint Cultural Center, has been turned over to the Cultural Center over the last several years. Only one house on Manning Court remains in private hands.
THE HISTORY OF MANNING COURT... Manning Court was part of the property acquired by J. Dallas Dort when he built his home at 1025 E. Kearsley Street, where the Flint Institute of Music is today. The home was destroyed by fire in 1971.
Manning Court was named by Dort after the architect that designed the estate and the Flint Parks, Charles Manning. Mrs. J. Dallas Dort stated in 1977 that Mr. Manning and Mr. Dort were related. The street was developed as a country lane in keeping with its original English Cottage architecture. The Court remained a gravel lane until the late 1990's when the road was paved illegally, since a Certificate of Appropriateness by the City of Flint Historic District Commission was not obtained.
CITY OF FLINT CODE, CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE XIX provides for the creation and establishment of a Flint Historic Districts Commission for the purpose of recongnition, preservation and protection of historical, architectural and archaelogical sites, buildings, structures, objects and the like within the City of Flint.....
2-148 DEMOLITION OR MOVING OF DISTRICT RESOURCES. (a) The demolition or moving of a district resources of historical, architectural or archaelolgical significants shall be discouraged. The Commission may, at its own discretion, issue a 'notice to proceed' for demolition or moving of a district resource, but shall be guided by the following conditions in exercising its judgment in granting such a certificate: (1) The Building Official deems such district resource to be a hazard to public safety or health and that repairs are impossible or infeasible, based upon the conclusions of the Building Code Board of Appeals. (2) Such district resource is a deterrent to a major improvement program which will be of substantial benefit to the community and in NO WAY can be adapted or incorporated as part of the improvement. (3) Retention of the district resource would cause undue financial hardship to the owner, which would be defined as a situation where fund required to retain the district resource would exceed market value, (b) In case where approval for demolition is granted, for reasons other than public health or safety, such certificates shall not become effective until six months after the date of such issuance in order to provide a period of time within which it may be possible to relieve a hardship, to cause the district resource to be transferred to another owner who would retain the district resource, or to develop alternative plans. (c) Deliberate or irresponsible negelct of a district resource resulting in serious physical deterioration or health and safety hazard shall constitute 'demolition by neglect' and shall be in violation of this article. (Ord. 2707, passed 4-23-79)
ON A SIDE BAR-SOAP BOX... Unfortunately, the City of Flint currently does not have any Code Enforcement Officers due to lay-offs and budget cuts. So, as the residents of Flint watch their surroundings turn from neglect to blight and from blight to health and safety issues... we also watch much of our historic resources go up in flames or down with a bull dozer. Although the FCCC has done little to maintain the homes on Manning Court, non of the above mentioned explains why we are spending all of this time and energy fighting to SAVE MANNING COURT!!
