Mayor's Office

Mayor Neeley to host community visioning, input session on future of I-475

FLINT, Michigan—Mayor Sheldon Neeley is inviting residents to join in community visioning and input sessions regarding I-475 in downtown Flint. The first of these events will be hosted live on Facebook and YouTube.

“The City of Flint is hosting these input sessions because it is critically important for residents’ voices to be heard. Under this administration community input comes first — before any concrete plans are made regarding future development of I-475,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley said. “We do not yet know what, if any, options will be feasible, but we want to make sure we know residents’ preferences as we move forward.”

WHO: Mayor Sheldon Neeley along with Chief of Staff Brian Larkin

WHAT: Community visioning and input session

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020

WHERE: City of Flint Facebook page and YouTube channel. It also can be viewed here below.

WHY: With state funding available to resurface a portion of I-475 in downtown Flint, Mayor Sheldon Neeley is soliciting community input on a previously proposed idea to remove a portion of the expressway by filling it in. This would level the landscape and allow for creation of a boulevard that would run through the city so that downtown could be reconnected to the adjacent neighborhoods. IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a conversation to solicit input on a vision, not a plan. A feasibility study has NOT yet been conducted to determine if this proposed alternative for I-475 is possible. This is an opportunity for residents to provide input to determine if the City should pursue this possible alternative.

DETAILS: A panel of community leaders also will join the conversation to voice opinions and ask questions. A moderator also will ask questions submitted on social media. This is the first of several public input sessions being planned.