Updated:

Construction has started on Downtown Flint's historic brick roadway on Saginaw Street. This project is going to take a while. So, embrace patience and plan ahead.

When were bricks installed for the first time in Flint, MI?

  • 1898 was the first-time people were able to drive a horse & carriage on something other than dirt. 38 years later, bricks were removed -- concrete poured -- bricks reinstalled. That was a modernization in 1936. Remember, cars were just becoming a thing. That type of investment was incredible for the time.

Related: Flint's Only Drive-In Theater Ready for Spring Season Opening

  • Fast forward to 2023 -- guess what's happening for the first time in 86.5 years? The bricks are being replaced.  Almost 1,000,000 bricks make up the historical portion we've all driven before. Many bricks will be saved and re-used.  While the rest will be sourced from companies that preserve historical road pavers to look uniform in appearance.
WFNT logo
Get our free mobile app

Will anything change on Saginaw Street during construction in Downtown Flint?

  • Say goodbye to potholes filled with tar in the middle of intersections. According to a piece by Kate Stockrahm with Flint Beat, intersections will NOT have bricks anymore.  That's where the most shifting and heaving happens as people turn their cars.  Now, those will be paved and stamped to look like bricks but hold up much better over time (and easier to reconstruct as needed).
  • The section of Saginaw Street from Court Street north to 3rd Street is first up for replacement. The City of Flint will be managing street closures and communication, weekly. (See their Facebook page above.)

The project was supposed to have started last year but was postponed due to a water main replacement needing to happen simultaneously. Sidewalks and crosswalk upgrades will happen during the project, too. Be patient when it begins because they're replacing individual bricks, not dropping 20 tons of tar to flatten into a roadway. City Engineer Mark Adas shared those details with mlive.

Cheers to the City of Flint for making this happen. Can't wait to see what it looks like when finished.

One of Flint's Magnificent Historic Mansions Can Be Yours for Under $500K

The 4200 square foot estate is beyond stunning inside. Details have been a priority for the current owners throughout the 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom home. The stately brick Tudor features an Italian marble fireplace, red-oak hardwood flooring throughout the first floor, and the original birch wood paneling in the library and dining room. Built in 1929 by renowned Detroit-area architect William Henry Kuni the estate comes complete with all of the original blueprints. On the market for $495K, this is something you need to see.

Take a Step Back in Time Remembering These Concerts at Flint's Atwood Stadium

Some of the biggest acts around have taken the stage at Flint's iconic Atwood Stadium over the years. Take a look back at some amazing music memories.

Fan Favorites: 16 Flint Area Spots With The Best Ranch Dressing

Fan Favorites: 16 Flint Area Spots With The Best Ranch Dressing