On Wednesday, ABC 12 broadcast an update on one of the exciting, county-led projects that is underway in the City of Flint. A formerly blighted property on Chavez Drive, the old McDonald Dairy, is being cleared and prepped to be the site of the County’s future Recycling and Education Center.

From ABC 12:

“Our recycling activities we do right now are just slammed as far as popularity; The demand is there,” explained Derek Bradshaw, the Director of the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission.

Bradshaw said this prompted the idea of creating a recycling center. The first step was vetting a space.

“We were left with this building that was problematic,” said Michael Freeman, the Genesee County Land Bank Authority Director. “Our goal and mission is to put properties back into proactive use, responsible use.”

Both Bradshaw and Freeman said this location, just outside of downtown Flint, is key.

“It is a great site. It is right up 475 near 69. It is where people county-wide can access the site,” said Freeman.

Bradshaw explained some funding is coming from the Genesee County Treasurer’s delinquent tax revolving fund, as well as a $900,000 State of Michigan grant.

“The bulk of the money is coming from ordinance fees. Those are collected from any trash that is deposited from Genesee County,” he said. 

It would bring all of the recycling drops off for old electronics and other recyclables into one area, staying out of landfills and streams or rivers.

“That facility design should take 5-6 months, in that range. The goal is to put the bid up for construction in the Spring,” added Bradshaw.

Thank you to Treasurer Deb Cherry and the Genesee County Land Bank for your partnership in this ambitious project!