FLINT, MI -- Three Flint-area foundations have committed more than $16 million for a bond-supported Flint Public Library renovation project set to begin in May.

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, which made an initial grant of $1.2 million in August, now will grant an additional $13.8 million to the project, according to a Thursday, Nov. 5 news release. The Ruth Mott Foundation will grant $1 million, and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint will grant $50,000.

The library’s total renovation costs are approximately $27.6 million.

The total grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation was secured after 68 percent of Flint voters said yes to a $12.6 million bond that will help fund a renovation of the Flint Public Library.

Flint passes $12.6M library bond, renovation to begin in May 2020

“Flint voters made it clear that they want a strong public library that meets their needs now and in the future,” Ridgway White, president and CEO of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, said in the release. “We’re pleased to help support a library where residents of all ages will want to learn, gather and grow.”

The fundraising goal is just over $30 million, said Kay Schwartz, the library’s director of services, so the library is still looking to raise additional $2 million in the next couple of years to “make sure the project is really solid financially and we get all the bells and whistles that we’d like to have in this new library.”

The original $15 million secured by the library was “pending” a “yes” vote from the public, she said. After seeing the amount of support from Flint voters, the additional more than $1 million was secured.

“What this will do is enable us to move forward with this project fast and with most of the resources that that we need to do every single thing we want to do in the library renovations,” Schwartz said.

Voters also approved renewing a 2-mill operating budget for the library with a 75 percent vote. The proposals are part of the library’s “Ready To Write A New Chapter” campaign and would maintain the library’s current programs as well as help pay for a complete renovation of its building.

The library receives 4 mills annually, according to the library’s website. The 2-mill operating millage is about half of the money used to operate the Flint Public Library.

The renewal of the operating millage secured continued operating support through the beginning of 2031, Schwartz said.

According to the release, significant changes made through the renovation will include: