FLINT -- Tuesday, the Michigan Supreme Court ordered the City of Flint to purchase the deserted Genesee Towers building in downtown. It will cost the city over $8 million, causing there to be about a $150.00 a year tax increase for city homeowners.
Now, the American Institute of Architects is working on helping revitalize:
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Flint chapter (www.aiaflint.com) is calling all designers for entries focused on revitalizing Genesee Towers.
Located at 120 E. First St., the 10-story, 172,000-square-foot Genesee Towers has been abandoned since 1997 and condemned by the city in 2004. AIA Flint is seeking input on possible ways to utilize the 43-year-old structure and develop a mixed-use facility that will fill a void in the city’s urban context.
The winner of the competition will be awarded $1,000 with second and third place designers earning $500 and $250, respectively. Selection criteria includes: creativity, practicality, how the concept benefits the city of Flint and representation of ideas.
The competition is among the highlights of the organization’s 50th Anniversary, which opens with a reception from 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. on Sept. 30 at The Durant located on 607 E. Second Ave. On Sept. 30, 1960, AIA Flint was formed to provide member architects with better “representation,” allow for greater “participation,” offer greater “convenience,” and to allow the local members, who have greater “knowledge and understanding” of local issues and needs, the ability to address them. It covers Genesee, Lapeer and Shiawassee counties.
Throughout the years, AIA Flint has been active in meeting the needs of its members by helping them stay informed on technology, materials, best practice, codes, legislation and client services. For the communities, AIA Flint has provided, through its members, a greater quality of life for all.
Members also have volunteered their time and offered their expertise to serve on planning commissions, zoning and code boards, school and church boards. They have hosted conferences and architectural tours, held community design charrettes, fundraised for scholarships, housing and social programs; mentored, taught and shared our knowledge on the built environment.
For more information, or to register for the design competition, please go to www.aiaflint.com.
*Above release provieded byThe American Institute of Architects: Flint Chapter.
