Flint Sights: Downtown Flint

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Downtown Flint covers approximately one square mile near the center of the city, bounded roughly by Fifth Avenue to the north, I-69 to the south, I-475 to the east, and Thread Creek to the west, with most commercial activity focused along Saginaw Street and the University of Michigan-Flint Campus.

• The Walking Tour of Downtown Flint is an effort sponsored by the Flint Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (see above) is intended to tout the local economy and encourage investment. This simple self-guided walking tour includes a map of the downtown district with an emphasis on local architecture. Flint's skyline features a surprisingly diverse and well-preserved collection of significant Art Deco construction, as well as their (generally less well-loved) successors.

• What's Up, Downtown?, ☎ 810.423.2321 (whatsupdowntown@comcast.net), www.whatsupdowntown.com. Another Downtown tour, this marketing initiative is co-managed by the Ruth Mott Foundation (one of several prominent local cultural players) and the for-profit Uptown Reinvestment LLC. Uptown is notable in Flint for having acquired dozens of buildings downtown and around Flint, but even more significantly because they operate the popular Downtown Tours. While definitely biased (one of the emphases of the tours are the pricey condos the company is developing here) this tour is a good way to become acquainted with the downtown area, and the vicissitudes of its fortunes throughout the decades. Tours typically operate during the spring, summer, and fall, but call ahead for details. Tour frequency is subject to demand.

• Flint Farmers' Market, ☎ 810.232.1399 (flintmarket@sbcglobal.net), www.flintfarmersmarket.com. Tues., Thurs., Sat., 8 AM - 5 PM. Based out of a long, squat building that resembles a cross between a greenhouse and a factory, the local farmers market is one of the more surprising local success stories. Even as the surrounding neighborhood weathered the travails of AutoWorld and Saginaw Street's pedestrian experiments, the Farmers' Market has spent thirty years building a loyal customer base and taking advantage of the diversity of agricultural activity in Southeast Michigan. Typical midwestern crops, such as corn and beans are common south of Flint, while the Flint area boasts a number of small orchards, and sugar cane is cultivated further north. As a result, the produce offered here is varied and fresh. With the success of the last ten years, the Farmers' Market has expanded its hours and operation, and now offers classes and events such as the Rustic Twig Class and the BBQ Battle. Also, the market has become host to several small shops, such as the Art at the Market Gallery, and a diner, which provides a nice break from Flint's ubiquitous coney islands. Hours vary from season to season, so call ahead.

• www.whatsupdowntown.com
• www.flintfarmersmarket.com