Flint: What’s changed in 20 years?

 The year was 2008 when I experienced my first taste of Flint Michigan, when I was offered a job here. The month was May & my family was still in Illinois (wife was a teacher finishing up the school year and kids were finishing their respective grades).

I remember the company that hired me put me up in a Townhouse in the Fenton area. I remember not too long into the stay there was a tornado that came through the area and freaked me out. Anyways, I was in the market to purchase our first home and started that process. It was taking longer than I expected so when the family joined me here a couple months later, I remember putting our stuff into PODS while the company I was working for put us up in a hotel. Can you imagine living in a hotel with a 5-year-old girl & a 1-year-old boy? We stayed in the hotel for 4 more months, living out of suitcases. It gave us a chance to get out & explore the area, so we weren't "couped up!" We ended up staying in Flint for (3) years that time.

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Coming back to Flint for this new opportunity with Cars 108 (from Mt. Pleasant, MI),  I've already noticed a lot of things have changed since we lived here before. Some of the changes I've already noticed include:

1). Grand Blanc has really exploded in growth! Wow! The Grand Blanc Splash Pad (where we used to take the kids) is longer there (sad face) but in fact, what once was a huge open field on Reid Road (near Saginaw Street) is all built up now with businesses. That's a definite plus. 

2). I see my favorite Mexican restaurant is still around, El Potrero, but the one near my old dwelling is gone & was replaced by another business. Now I need to drive farther to have my chicken enchiladas. LOL

3). The Patsy Lou dealerships are no longer. I remember when I arrived in 2008, they had just opened a location on Corunna Road. I also caught wind recently that Patsy Lou ended up passing away a few years back.

4). I recall Jamin's Sports Bar on Robert T Longway. Many evenings were spent there just chilling and relaxing after a long day. I drove by there and it's no longer there. Someone told me the building was set on fire a few years ago. Truly a sad loss filled with awesome memories.

5). Just before I left Flint last time in 2011, the Water Crisis was at its starting stages. My heart goes to all of those who were affected by that thing. I can't believe it took like 10+ years to get it under control.

People have asked me is it weird to be back in Flint after all these years? My answer is simple YES, it is.  I am, however, looking forward to what new ventures we can build memories on.