FLINT, MI-- Downtown Flint could be seeing more entertainment and opportunity for growth according to its 20-year Game Plan.

Flint’s Downtown Development Authority recommends creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment with two-way streets and entertainment.

“Downtown has changed probably $480 million worth,” DDA Director Gerard Burnash said. “It’s changed incredibly throughout the last decade or so, it’s night and day, full-grown and a happening city.”

The city hired AECOM, a Los Angeles-based engineering firm, as consultants to develop its 20-year plan. The firm simplified the city’s strategy and suggested developing the riverfront, turning Second Street into an entertainment district near the renovated Capitol Theatre and turning Beech, Court and Harrison into two-way streets.

“Back in the day when we had a lot of factories here it was, ‘Get to the shop and get out of the shop as fast as you can,’ so we had one-ways coming from the expressways to the shops as fast as possible, but downtown works better when you have pedestrians and safety,” Burnash said.

Suggestions to beautify the gateways into Flint were also suggested.

“The mayor is looking at doing beautification gateways all over the city. ...For downtown we’re specifically looking at the I-475 entrance there on south Saginaw and also coming from the north side,” Burnash said.

The recommendations are meant to help developers work harmoniously together towards bettering downtown Flint.

“We’re at the point right now where there is enough density where you don’t want multiple groups working on the same project, or working against each other on different projects,” Burnash said. “We want everything to be cohesive so we get the most out of our value as far as economic development.”

AECOM also suggested relocating the Michigan Transportation Bus Station on Wallenburg and Second Street to an area behind City Hall.

Oaklin Mixon, owner of Good Boy Clothing on Saginaw Street, opened up shop in 2017. Since then, the 35-year-old business owner has watched downtown Flint develop before his eyes.

“We’ve seen incredible growth in downtown,” Mixon said. “Of course the Ferris Wheel opened, the Mott Culinary Institute, ELGA, Bedrock and other boutiques opening.”

Mixon said he’s a big supporter of seeing communities and economies grow through entrepreneurship. He said people saw downtown growing and wanted to be a part of it.

“When you pioneer a road, other people want to come in and build onto that and see it flourish,” Mixon said. “We’ve seen some substantial growth.”

The best part about the growth, Mixon said, is the rest of the city will grow along with downtown Flint.

“I view the city as a whole unit, whatever happens here can actually have a positive effect on other parts of the city, I think it’s very important,” Mixon said. “My hope is that we continue to maintain this thrust of entrepreneurship and creativity that we have been, and be a leader for other cities in the nation that have underwent struggles that we’ve underwent.”