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Kearsley Street Corridor opens to traffic next week

By Marc Jacobson
November 19, 2008

FLINT (WJRT) -- Downtown Flint is taking another giant leap in its efforts to enhance student life.

There is now a direct link from the southern edge of the Kettering University campus to Mott Community College and the Flint Cultural Center.

This morning's ribbon cutting ceremony was really more about making connections.  "It's pretty cold out here, but it's a very exciting event for all of us, particularly the Flint community," U of M-Flint Chancellor Dr. Ruth Person said.

The Kearsley Street Corridor is now officially open, at least in a ceremonial sense. Traffic won't be able to flow through the U of M-Flint campus until after Thanksgiving.

"We're still waiting on the street lighting to be installed, but we're very excited. This will open a link from Kettering University, through this campus, right to the Flint Cultural Center," said Genesee Regional Chamber CEO Tim Herman.

The $2 million passageway was funded by the C.S. Mott Foundation. It's the latest step toward the goal of transforming Flint into a community with a viable, livable downtown.

Kettering University President Dr. Stan Liberty sees how the changes are reshaping the city.  "This is just another fantastic example of building this college town atmosphere and the spirit and the infrastructure that goes with it."

The corridor was designed by Rowe Inc. It's supposed to enhance student life, and college kids agree it's a step in the right direction.

"I'm not saying that we'll be throwing parties on Kearsley Street, but we'll be going to the dorms area and the theater and stuff like that," Kettering student Willy Joseph said.

The extension of Kearsley Street through the U of M-Flint campus not only gives students easier access to the city's cultural and educational institutions, it also comes with some definite social perks.

"It allows you to meet girls from the other schools -- honestly, maybe," Joseph said.

Future development planned along Kearsley Street includes landscaping, additional crosswalks and bike lanes.

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