In Downtown Flint, the nine arches above Saginaw Street illuminate rows of businesses along the historic brick road. While it was largely overlooked in recent history, it’s seeing a renaissance in the shopping, dining and housing scenes. From the influx of new businesses to the construction of mixed-use developments, Downtown Flint has undergone plenty of changes over the past five years.
“I'm excited about Downtown Flint because there's so much change happening,” says Tierra Howard, Realtor, broker and owner of HowardHomes4You. “There’s been so much development.”
Home to the University of Michigan-Flint, this neighborhood is mostly comprised of young renters. While it’s quieter than the downtowns of cities such as Detroit, it’s home to dozens of annual events, attracting residents of all ages throughout the year.
Downtown Flint has had a share of trials and economic decline since GM downsized in the 60s.
Apartment homes provide another affordable housing option for residents of Downtown Flint.
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Saginaw Street, Flint Farmer’s Market, Buckham Alley and Brush Alley
Saginaw Street’s red brick road is lined with an array of bars, restaurants and retailers, painting the picture of a charming commercial district. From longstanding staples like Churchill’s Food and Spirits, a casual diner with an old-school feel, to new additions like Xolo, a modern Mexican restaurant, locally owned establishments are the heartbeat of Downtown Flint’s main street.
“The entrepreneurship, it’s a big thing here,” Howard says. “There’s a lot of small business owners, and we all try to support each other. I know it’s probably the same in some other places, but I just feel like we’re special.”
Flint Farmers Market, on East 1st and Harrison streets, is an indoor market with more than 50 vendors that is open year-round. Inside the building, permanent vendors sell various goods, including locally grown produce, farm-fresh meats and crafts. From May through October, 25 additional vendors set up shop outdoors.
Buckham Alley and Brush Alley only stretch about 2 blocks each, but they’re also lined with a handful of bars and restaurants. During weekends, bar crawlers navigate both passageways, moving from spots like Torch Bar and Grill to X Cocktail Bar in minutes.
Find fresh produce and a friendly atmosphere at the Downtown Flint's Farmers Market.
Buckham Alley holds many of the Downtown Flint's favorite spots like Bauhouse and The Torch.
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Back to the Bricks, CRIM races, the ARTWALK and more
Dozens of annual events take place in Downtown Flint, one of the largest being Back to the Bricks. The car show, which is held on Saginaw Street, attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the city annually. The weeklong extravaganza features a classic car show, the National Reunion for Corvette Aficionados and more.
CRIM Fitness Foundation also hosts the Festival of Races on Saginaw, which draws thousands of runners from around the world. The festival includes a 10-mile race through Bradley Hills, a 5-mile race, a 5K, a Michigan-mile race and a Teddy Bear Trot.
The Flint ARTWALK, held on the second Friday of every month, is a way to support local artists and businesses. It features vendors, live music, art exhibitions and more.
While these are some of the largest recurring happenings, Downtown Flint is home to dozens more, from the annual Flint Night Market in Brush Park to the Flint Jazz Festival. “I love it because we come down here all of the time, and there's something going on in every direction,” Howard says. Restaurants, parks and both alleyways are all turned into venues, offering Flint residents a chance to experience it all.
25 miles of trails, various parks and the YMCA
With the Flint River running along its northwest end, Downtown Flint offers various greenspaces and trails. The Flint River trail is one of the most expansive, at about 25 miles long. Part of the trail backs Riverbank Park, which is situated off the river and is home to the annual Jazz Festival. At Wilson Park, stretching oak trees shade the picnic tables and grassland below, providing a place to enjoy picnics.
The YMCA of Greater Flint is currently located on East 3rd and Stevens Streets, but it will be moving to a new building in the spring of 2025. It currently features a swimming pool, hot tub, full gym and basketball court, providing indoor recreation options for residents year-round. It also hosts events, like the annual Santa Run, where participants dress in Santa Suits and run a 5k through downtown.
Residents of Downtown Flint enjoy easy fishing access from trails along the Flint River.
The new YMCA building in Downtown Flint is slated to open in early 2025.
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Older Four Squares and modern condos
While there are a handful of 1900s Four Squares and Victorian-inspired homes around Downtown Flint, most of the living options are apartments, condos and townhomes. In fact, 91% of residents rent. New construction is popping up all around the area, replacing much of the dilapidated housing stock. “LiveWell on Harrison,” which broke ground in May of 2023, shook up the layout of Harrison and Fourth Streets to create a mixed-use development that includes affordable housing, a new YMCA and the Crim Fitness Foundation. It’s slated to be completed in 2025. This comes just after The Genesee County Landbank Authority, in partnership with the city and state, funded the construction of a 16-unit Gate Housing Project in the area. Homes hardly hit the market, but a two-family flat on a quarter acre was recently listed for $100,000.
Towering Victorian homes adorn Downtown Flint's outer cross streets.
Rows of new townhomes are popping up throughout the rapidly redeveloping Downtown Flint.
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Education from pre-k through college
Flint offers school choice, so students can attend any public school in the city or surrounding suburbs. Schools near downtown include Eisenhower Elementary School, which has a D-plus rating on Niche and serves pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Carman-Ainsworth Middle School has a C-minus rating and serves sixth through eighth graders. Southwestern Classical Academy has a C rating. The University of Michigan-Flint has a B rating and is ranked the 5th best-value college in the state. It’s mostly known for its STEM programs, including nursing, psychology and biology.
Carman-Ainsworth Middle School serves nearly 700 student from across Flint.
Flint Southwestern Classical Academy offers a variety of programs that challenge children.
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Walking, biking and driving around
Public transit options are plentiful, with the MTA transit center at this neighborhood's center. Bikers and walkers can easily navigate its well-kept sidewalks. Interstate 69, which runs east and west, borders Downtown Flint to the south, and Interstate 475, which runs north and south, to the east. The nearest emergency room is at Hurley Medical Center, which is about a mile north. Bishop International Airport is 5 miles southwest.
Higher than average crime index score
Downtown Flint’s CAP crime index score is 9 out of 10, while the US average is 4 out of 10. While this number is higher than the US average, the neighborhood has seen a decline in criminal offenses since the University of Michigan-Flint assigned patrol cars to the area.
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Call today to reserve your new home at this brand new community in the East Village Neighborhood! Enjoy high ceilings, granite counter tops, oversized windows, and a washer/dryer in the unit. Pet friendly! Live conveniently close to Kettering University, Hurley Medical Center, and the I-475 and I-69 interchange. Marketplace Apartments is offering gorgeous one and two bedroom apartment homes, as
Welcome to Clark CommonsDiscover the perfect combination of modern living, community spirit, and affordability at Clark Commons, located in the heart of Flint, Michigan. Our thoughtfully designed apartment homes are tailored to meet the needs of individuals and families seeking comfort and convenience in a supportive environment.At Clark Commons, we pride ourselves on creating a
Sylvester Manor is an absolutely gorgeous building constructed in 1927 and containing charming architectural details and grandeur that simply cannot be found in modern buildings, such a limestone and marble throughout the structure, as well as oak trim and paneling throughout the common areas and units. Sylvester Manor Apartments is situated off of Court Street, within a few blocks of Saginaw
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
654
Median Age
32
Population under 18
21.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.2%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$30,714
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$51,205
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.8%
College Graduates
19.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.5%
% Population in Labor Force
39.9%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
36''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
71/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
81/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
53/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
