FLINT -- In Flint it's out with the old and in with the new. Flint's demolition project is designed to lower the crime rate within the city but can it really happen?
The city of Flint is starting their renewal project here on Chippewa Street. An old auto shop, one of many abandoned buildings on the cities to do list.
"It's a breath of fresh air. The area is going to come back up and that's why I purchased my home down here," said Laquandra Griggs.
The city is using 2.3 million dollars in housing and urban delvolopment grants to restore the cities image.
"Flint is coming back, it needs too," said Bobby Macon.
Optimism about the project is filling the streets surround Chippewa where long time residents have been waiting for a change.
"I think it's great they are cleaning the city up, you know these abandoned houses that people go into," said Macon.
"Children walk past these abandoned houses on their way to school so we want to make sure they have safe routes to school,” said Flint Housing Commissioner David Solis.
And children is what Laquandra Griggs is most concerned about.
"Hopefully we will be able to come out and play on the basketball court and ride our bikes and other kids will be down here to play also,” said Griggs.
The demolition project is making room for new housing opportunities. But the housing market is cause for concern and could leave new housing just as empty as they are now.
"It's a great thing that they are building these houses and building them up but the cost of living right now for those houses is really at a steady high,” said Roashell Hall.
For now the city is making progress tearing homes and old businesses down.
And in the coming weeks companies like Zito construction have a tall order. More than 300 homes to be demolished within the city limits.
