WRITING QUESTION: Are there empty houses, schools, businesses, or other buildings in your neighborhood? What would you like to see happen to them? Give specific examples.

“Think we only have one” – Alicia Pitts

“Family Video is strategically located for some community-centered something. Electric Car charging station? Public kalua pit for never-ending luau?” – Bob Mabbitt

“Yes – Whittier, Central, Family Video, a number of homes. It’d be great to bring the schools back, especially if they could update them to 21st Century schools & keep the original facades out front. I’d like to have a neighborhood grocery back (like the old Mitchell’s) in the Family Video, with wine & beer & deli selections (like an Oliver T’s, but more fresh foods). As for empty homes, I'd love to see them marketed to Medical Residents & their families from area hospitals.” – Cathy Lancaster

“Former Mitchell’s is now a closed Family Video. I am not sure that there is a viable commercial reuse. It may be that we should consider more of a naturalized or plaza type space.” – Dayne Walling

“Eye sores like the burned out home on Seymour and Lippincott need to go now! Grass on property abandoned needs to be cut; property needs to be maintained to increase the filling of the neighborhood.” – Denise Smith Allen

“Family Video. I live across the street from it. I would like it to go back to becoming a neighborhood grocery store or food co-op.” – Desiree Duell

“Old Central and Whittier properties should be turned over to MCC and Cultural Center. 3 vacant, deteriorated houses should be removed” – E. Custer

“We have empty houses on both sides of us. I'd like to see them either occupied again or razed. The Family Video is empty, but it would be great to see it as a restaurant or food store.” – E. Perkins-Harbin

“There aren't too many empty houses in my neighborhood, or at least not as many as I have seen in others. The biggest empty building is the old Family Video store. I would like to see that become a community center of some kind. A place that can have events and meetings.” – Emma

“Open golf course (Pierce Park), seek out new owners for empty businesses, tear down bad houses” – Erik and Lata

“The scrappers have destroyed some nice homes. They are nihilists and leave scars on a neighborhood far beyond the few copper pipes that are ripped from the walls. Some houses are beyond repair and need to come down (801 E.Court) and I hope some can be rehabbed (620 Thomson & 606 Crapo).” – Ingrid Halling

“Empty businesses--put in a coffee shop, grocery store, or restaurant” – Jessica Coyne

“some empty houses and I hope families buy them up and move in with kids. I hope that the businesses either tear down and rebuild new businesses or sell and new local businesses move in that are friendly, clean and care about being part of the neighborhood” – Leslie

“several empty houses and 2 very large schools. a couple of the houses should be torn down, the others are for sale or foreclosed but are deteriorating due to neglect. should be sold quickly to prevent that. the fieldhouse of Central should be used for basketball & swimming etc run by a teaching phys ed degree program from Mott or UM_F. or Central should be used as a high school for Flint again instead of Northwestern -it is in the middle of Flint or the whole area should be given to Mott College or UM_F for future expansion.” – Margie Latter

“I would love to see a local grocer back in Mitchell's again, classes held in Whittier & Central. If the business models of the last century can't sustain a community like ours, maybe we should take advantage of these empty properties and start some democratically run businesses that have more loyalty to their workers and communities.” – Melodee Mabbitt

“Yes. I'd like to see the houses occupied by their owners and the businesses reopen. I'd love to get Rizzo's back.” – Michael Kelly

“No” – Nelle Pinkney

“There are a few empty houses in our neighborhood. And also Central High School and Whittier are closed. I would like to see the vacant homes renovated and home owners moved in. I would like to see Central High School open back up for use as a trade school for youth.” – Stephanie Render

“Yes, of course, there are. Houses should be promoted to young families, single people, and older couples. Lots of nice small houses that need good owners.” – Stephany Diana

“Yes, the Natatorium at MCC. It used to be open to the public. It has been sitting unused awaiting repairs for a long time.” – Tom Spademan