The City of Flint’s first combined Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) was approved Monday January 26, 2015 by City Council. With a vote of 7-2, this is the first formal CIP developed and adopted in Flint in many years. Written across departments, the collaboration comes from the Master Plan HUD Grant which required the production of a capital improvements plan. This CIP compliments the Master Plan and will ensure that infrastructure may be provided to meet the goals of Imagine Flint. Project selection for the CIP is directly tied to the goals of the Master Plan. City of Flint Planner, Kevin Schronce states “this landmark document is an important milestone in the implementation of Imagine Flint”. While the CIP was developed interdepartmentally, the projects identified assist in achieving many goals outlined in the different chapters of Flint’s Master Plan.
“Citizens should be proud that the City has taken the initiative to produce a plan that ensures wise choices are made and important developmental progress is achieved,” said Megan Hunter, Director of Planning and Development. The plan itself states that the preparation of a CIP “optimizes use of the taxpayer’s dollars” while also guiding “redevelopment and growth”. The CIP includes long term improvements to everything from the utilities system, streets and parks to the Police, Fire and other City buildings. While it is a recommended practice to develop one each year, a formal CIP has not been developed by the City in many years; much in the same way the City had not developed a Master Plan in over 50 years.
City Planner Schronce also pointed out that perhaps one of the greatest benefits that may come from preparing of a formal CIP is greater opportunity for funding. “Although the CIP outlines the budget and ultimate spending capacity, the financial state of the City in comparison to the considerable capital improvements it needs is a factor that cannot be denied,” said Schronce. “This document provides a transparent lens with which potential funders may utilize when deciding whether to aid in Flint’s vision of sustainability.”
Director Hunter gave recognition to the citizens who worked with the City Planning staff during various community outreach efforts. ”We would like to emphasize how grateful we are to the residents and community members who took the time to attend the input meetings, share comments and offer feedback on the CIP,” said Hunter. “The public participation was greatly appreciated and certainly influential in the final approval of the plan.”
View the entire adopted Capital Improvement Plan Here.
