R.I.P MANNING COURT... FLINT. profile picture

R.I.P MANNING COURT... FLINT.

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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 ONLY”- 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!!

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JOSIAH DALLAS DORT 1861-1925

JOSIAH DALLAS DORT was born Feb. 2, 1861, in Inkster, Michigan. In the spring of 1886, he and William C. Durant, a successful insurance man, formed a partnership which was to have a profound effect on Flint and the American auto industry. That summer, both Dort and Durant founded the Flint Road Cart Co., but later changed the name to Durant-Dort Carriage Co. which was the largest builder of passenger vehicles in the world.

IN 1914, DORT BEGAN THE LIQUIDATION OF THE CARRIAGE COMPANY and in 1915 founded the Dort Motor Co., which was dissolved in 1923. He was also the founder of the Imperial Wheel Co., the Flint Varnish Works, The Flint Axle Works and many other companies. Dort founded Flint Vehicles Factories Mutual Benefit Association which was the forerunner of the Industrial Mutual Association (IMA). He was a director of the Genesee County Savings Bank and president of the Carriage Builders' National Association.

DORT ALSO HELPED DRAFT THE LAW CREATING THE MICHIGAN RAILROAD COMMISSION and served on the city planning and park boards, creating the large city parks system that still exists in Flint today. He was an active member in the planning of the Flint YMCA and the first city hospital, which is now Hurley Medical Center. During WWI, he devoted most of his two years to Liberty Bonds and other patriotic activities. Dort achieved national recognition on Feb. 6, 1918, when the New York Times published an account of Flint's achievement, under Dort's leadership, in exceeding its war bond campaign by 30 percent. In 1925 Dort's death left the entire city in mourning. The Dort home on Kearsley St. was the first home of the Flint Institute of Music and is the site of the current building.

AN INTIMATE LOOK AT A GRAY-DORT AUTOMOBILE

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J. DALLAS DORT WAS THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR WRITING THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE INDUSTRIAL MUTUAL ASSOCIATION (IMA) STORY. It was mainly through his efforts that the Associated Factories of Flint was established in 1901. He never would have imagined that his endeavor would lay the foundation for one of the most unique organizations of its kind in the world.

NO ONE TOOK MORE INTEREST IN THE LIFE OF THE WORKING MAN THAN J. DALLAS DORT. He believed that the character of a city's development depended entirely on the way in which the city and its industries took responsibility for the health and welfare of its workers (seen in the homes built on Manning Court). Toward that goal, the Flint Vehicle Factories Mutual Benefit Association was formed. This new association provided insurance for employees of FIint's vehicle factories. Shortly thereafter, the Vehicle Workers Club, a very popular social branch of the organization was incorporated. In 1908, Associated Factories organized formally as the Manufacturers Association of Flint the same year General Motors was founded in Flint.

C.S. Mott

IN 1915, CHARLES STEWART MOTT, A GM VICE PRESIDENT, APPOINTED AN INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE WITH WALTER P. CHRYSLER AS ITS CHAIRMAN. The committee called itself the Industrial Fellowship League. Many recreational and educational activities were offered to the workers through the IFL. The IFL opened an evening school for factory workers known as Auto Trade School (C. S. Harding Mott, son of Charles Stewart Mott, was a member of its record-breaking Buick Service class in 1926). The school later became the Flint Institute of Technology, which developed into General Motors Institute (now known as Kettering University).

General Motors Institute/Kettering University

IN 1917, POTTER LAKE, A 400=ACRE RESORT WITH PICNIC AREAS, SWIMMING BEACH, COTTAGES, PAVILION AND LODGE, was purchased to provide recreational activities for IFL members and their families.

THE INDUSTRIAL MUTUAL ASSOCIATION OF FLINT (IMA) WAS OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 22, 1922 when the Flint Vehicle Factories Mutual Benefit Association and the Industrial Fellowship League merged. To support its various activities, the IMA managed cafeterias and vending operations in Flint's vibrant auto factories. The IMA began to flourish and leased five floors of the Industrial Savings Bank Building at the corner of Second Avenue and North Saginaw Street for its headquarters.

IN 1926. THE IMA MADE ITS PLANS KNOWN TO MERGE FLINT TECH INTO GENERAL MOTERS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (GMI).

IN 1927, THE RANDALL LUMBER AND COAL COMPANY PROPERTY IN DOWNTOWN FLINT WAS PURCHASED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF AN AUDITORIUM. Completed in 1929, the IMA Auditorium provided seating for more than 6,000 people and offered diversified activities including lectures, dances, stage shows, exhibitions, sports events and concerts, The Auditorium held many great memories for people throughout the decades. (Unfortunately demolished in 1996)

IMA under construction

IMA Auditorium

OTHER IMA FACILITIES INCLUDED ATHLETIC PARK, a 3,000 seat athletic field adjacent to the Auditorium. In 1958, the park was used to build an annex to the Auditorium.

IN 1963 THE IMA PURCHASED BROOKWOOD GOLF COURSE, site of the 1965 Michigan Open Golf' Tournament.

IN 1969 THE IMA OPENED THE SPORTS ARENA ON LAPEER ROAD. It became the home of' the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League and attracted sellout crowds of more than 4,000 enthusiastic fans.

IN 1979, THE SPORTS ARENA WAS DONATED TO THE CITY OF FLINT, and continues to host a myriad of activities.

TODAY, THE IMA IS ADDING NEW CHAPTERS TO ITS RICH HISTORY as a diversified employee benefit association. As a self-supporting not-for-profit corporation, the IMA operates several businesses including the IMA Brookwood Golf Course, banquet and catering facilities and several vending operations.

Information and photos courtesy of:

TUDOR: ONE STYLE, MANY FACES

Tudor—a style that was exceedingly popular in America in the 1920s and ’30s, and again in the 1970s and ’80s—embraces three stylistic variations.

The traditional Tudor is a masonry or stucco home reminiscent of English manor houses. The Elizabethan variation of this style is more informal and clearly identified by half-timbered exteriors, while the Jacobean variation is an English-Dutch hybrid featuring shaped parapets and gables.

As is so often the case, the wealthy first built homes in the Tudor styles before they filtered down to mainstream America. Tudor, in all of its versions, conveys stability and success. You can identify this style by looking for these characteristics:

Two or more stories Commanding masonry exterior Parapeted gables Arched entry Projecting oriel windows Large leaded glass windows with stone mullions

The Elizabethan variation also features:

Steeply pitched roof with cross gables on the front Prominent chimney Half-timbered exterior where exposed wood timbers mark the structural framework, spaces in between filled with brick or stucco Tall casement windows composed of small-paned leaded glass

ENGLISH COTTAGE: FAIRYTALE ENDING

Cottage homes seem to define fantasy with nooks and crannies that tickle the senses. They’re patterned after the rustic cottages constructed in southwestern England since medieval times. You might hear them referred to as a Cotswold Cottage, an Ann Hathaway, or even a Hansel and Gretel cottage.

The English cottage is considered a subclass of the broader Tudor style, so the exterior might feature stone, brick, or stucco, and half-timbering isn’t uncommon. A low front door leads inside to rooms generally of irregular shape.

These fairy-tale houses are easily recognized by characteristics including:

Sloping, uneven gable roof A feeling of being low to the ground, no matter how many stories Asymmetrical Prominent chimney made of brick or stone Casement windows of leaded glass Small dormer windows

My Blog

Demo of Manning Court

Historic Manning Street homes coming down by John W. Adkisson | The Flint Journal Tuesday August 19, 2008, 3:26 PM The Flint Journal | John W. AdkissonWrecking crews demolish homes built by Dallas Do...
Posted by on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:38:00 GMT

Rutherfords continual deconstruction....

The charter amendment creating a Parks Board to develop and control the city's public parks and playgrounds was requested to Council by J. Dallas Dort in August 1906.  The city voted it in and th...
Posted by on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:23:00 GMT

Another downfall of Flint MI...

.. language=javascript src="http://www.mlive.com/dhtml/includes/Pop.js">..> Manning Street historic houses in Flint offered for free; The catch? You got to move them Posted by Bryn Mickle | The Fli...
Posted by on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:14:00 GMT

We cannot remain silent

  ..> ..> Commentary: We cannot remain silent By Gary P. Custer   The Flint Cultural Center has a public relations problem that could affect it for years. It has had few problems with e...
Posted by on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:14:00 GMT

Manning Street Case Dismissed

..> Manning Street case dismissed By Nic Custer An appeal to prevent the destruction of four houses in the Manning Street Historic District, 1003, 1009, 1015 and 1019 Manning St., was dismissed...
Posted by on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:07:00 GMT

History means nothing in Flint!

Whether it is the Flint Cultural Center, The Flint Institute of Music, the Flint Historic District Commission, the City of Flint or the Genesee County Circuit Courts... The so-called 'protected by law...
Posted by on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:09:00 GMT

HDC again votes to demolish Manning Street

..>..> ..> HDC again votes to demolish Manning St. By Gregory J. Vanucci An attempt to stop, at least temporarily, a Flint Cultural Center Corporation plan to demolish almost all of the Mannin...
Posted by on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:08:00 GMT

Commissioner Ryan attempts to justify his flip

It's amazing the lengths some will go to to 'justify' an action.The original vote of the Flint Historic District Commission was illegal. They did not follow proper procedure and upholding t...
Posted by on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 09:27:00 GMT

What the hell??!!

With a healthy turn-out, the Flint Historic Commission meeting began the two hour 'meat and potatoes' of the meeting with public comment.  Out of approximately a dozen speakers, the only one...
Posted by on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:11:00 GMT

FCCC/FIM Playing Politics

Historic homes may be saved Plan would move 3 to Carriage Town FLINT THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION W ed nesday, April 04, 2007 By Marjory Raymer [email protected] " 810.766.6325 ..> QUI...
Posted by on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:31:00 GMT