1. Teresa Gillotti Former Resident Research Fellow, Genesee Institute http://www.geneseeinstitute.org Thurs., April 24, 2008 Envisioning "Urban" Green Infrastructure: Plans and plantings in Flint, Mich.

2. Outline Flint’s story New opportunities Urban green infrastructure analysis for Flint The role of the Land Bank Testing it out

3. Flint’s story

4. Regional tale Population Change in surrounding counties 1970 to 2000

5. Vacant & Abandoned Property

6. Vacant Land in Flint 4,600

7. Opportunity

8. Green Infrastructure Objectives in 3 Counties

9. Green Infrastructure Objectives in Flint Priority One Priority Two Priority Three GLS Rivers

10. Restoration or re-vegetation of urban land into a network or system providing connectivity and opportunity as well as ecological and social restoration by capitalizing on the abundance of vacant, abandoned and underutilized land within an urbanized environment. Urban Green Infrastructure

11. Criteria Level of abandonment Size of vacant parcels Clustering of vacant parcels Low population density Not in economic development zone Environmental In the flood plain On steep slopes On permeable soils Connectivity Feasibility Urban Green Infrastructure

12. Land Bank’s role Revitalization tool for the community Catalytic redevelopment projects Housing renovation & rental program Brownfield redevelopment Demolition Foreclosure prevention

13. Land Bank’s role Move from maintenance to a greening strategy Side Lot Program Clean and Green Adopt-a-Lot Beautification Bank Maintenance Standards Demonstration Gardens

14. Testing it out Native/Rain Garden Nine abandoned parcels Underground drainage problems Area “gone wild” and target for dumping Goals Affordable & attractive low maintenance garden Create partnership with neighborhood and others for improvement and maintenance Create source of pride for neighbors

15. Testing it out Turf grass alternative All land bank demolitions since June ‘07 Will be evaluated this spring Seeking the “Holy Grail” seed mixes Phytoremediation demonstration 3 educational sites planted this spring Collaboration with youth Intensive community veggie garden Models vertical gardening

16. Moving forward Land Bank and collaborators are committed to continuing and expanding demonstration gardens Urban Green Infrastructure analysis will be shared with neighborhood groups for work on neighborhood level Land Bank is looking to implement targeted “ecologically grounded” maintenance strategy

17. Special thanks to the Genesee Institute www.geneseeinstitute.orgwww.geneseeinstitute.org & the Genesee County Land Bank www.thelandbank.orgwww.thelandbank.org Teresa Gillotti tgillotti@gmail.com Questions?