Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
On Thursday, August 21, a press conference took place, during which city officials announced the final demolition would be taking place of a neighborhood that can track it roots back to the Urban Renewal Era of 1960.
Ashly Harris, vice president of the Flint Housing Commission, pointed out at the conference that the Atherton East apartments were originally constructed to rehouse residents displaced by freeway construction and urban renewal. Harris added that urban renewal projects had dismantled historic neighborhoods, like the St. John Street Neighborhood. St. John Street was one of many once thriving predominantly Black neighborhoods.
“This site has long symbolized community resilience,” Harris said. “Over the decades, Atherton East became increasingly isolated, facing significant challenges, including its location in the floodplane and limited access to essential services and public transportation.”
Seven years ago, the Flint Housing Commission received a $30-million federal grant to tear down and relocate Atherton East apartment residents. The residents began being moved out the 192-unit complex in 2021. Those residents, who had been complaining of increased violence and had unsafe living conditions due to being in a flood zone, were either housed in Clark Commons, received housing vouchers to go elsewhere or received other forms of support.
Mayor Sheldon Neeley stated that the City was tearing down what was no longer needed or useful.
“By doing so, we are bringing back hope, safety and proud neighborhoods,” he added.
Flint City Council Vice President Candice Mushatt shared that her grandmother had lived in Atherton East for the bulk of her life.
“…I had the opportunity to be a part of history, to be one of the people who can stand here today and tell you what this site meant to so many,” she added.
Mushatt also stated: “But, if you live long enough, you also get to build history.”
Dominique Strong, vice president of the Flint Housing Commission board, said as someone who grew up in Howard Estates, she knows firsthand what public housing needs to families in Flint. Historically, Howard Estates has been a pubic housing development, providing affordable living options.
“It was more than a place to live, it was a community that shaped who I am,” said Strong of Howard Estates. “And those who know who I am, know who I am.”
Strong continued: “Today, standing here as the vice president of the board, I am proud to be part of the change that clears away the eyesores of the past and makes rooms for safe, affordable housing that our most vulnerable members deserves. This moment is not just about a demolition. It’s more about transformation.”
The contractor for the project stated he is from Chicago, but his wife is from Flint.
“I’m going to be so thankful for Flint Housing Authority and the City of Flint for all the cooperation they’ve had with us since the beginning of the project,” he said.
CEO of the Flint Housing Commission David A. Northern thanked the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for giving the City $2 million toward the completion of the demolition. He said a major goal was to secure the property, currently owned by the Flint Housing Commission. He also stated the few buildings that remain on the site are expected to be torn down and removed within the coming days.
City officials stated the site will be immediately converted into green space and it may be at least partially developed in the future.
