FLINT -- A group of University of Michigan - Flint students are transforming abandoned land.

It’s called the Urban Housing Development Project.  Students will transform vacant land on the corner of Garland Rd. and W. 2^nd Ave. in Downtown Flint in order to grow organic vegetables.

Those vegetables will then be given to Hoffman's Deco Deli and Café.  The café’s owner, Mark Hoffman, says the vegetables will be used to create fresh sandwiches and meals. Hoffman says the project will also allow him to be able to hire more workers.

In addition to the garden portion of the Urban Housing Development Project, students will also transform an abandoned house into a “Green,” energy saving home using solar and geothermal energy.