City of Flint Joins with Other Cites in “Main Street Matters” Project

The City of Flint has entered a contest called "Main Street Matters' which spans across the U.S. and Canada. Flint will compete for a chance to be one of 20 cities nominated to receive revitalization from paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore & Company. Cities in the contest are competing to have their Main Streets chosen to be repainted by professional designers who will work to preserve the architectural style, regional influences and historic references of buildings in the area. Benjamin Moore & Company will provide all the paint, supplies and professional support.

For its part, the City of Flint has chosen the University Avenue corridor as the area for the revitalization project. As well as serving as a connection between U of M - Flint and Kettering University, University Avenue also contains Atwood Stadium, the Children's Museum and is a major leg of the Crim Festival of Races. Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said "this is a great opportunity for Flint to revamp an area that is not only important to our residents and students but also to our many visitors who use this thoroughfare for various events."

There are four cities from Michigan competing in "Main Street Matters" along with Flint. They include Charlevoix, Lansing and Hastings. Individuals can vote online at www.paintwhatmatters.com for their favorite city and can vote once per day while voting is open. Voting ends just before midnight on June 30, 2013. Benjamin Moore & Company will list the winning main streets and towns on the website in July.