Two downtown buildings added to the Flint campus

In 2016, the University of Michigan-Flint took ownership of the Riverfront Residence Hall and Conference Center as well as one of the FirstMerit Bank buildings.

The 15-story, 306,000-square-foot structure Riverfront Residence Hall and Conference Center was donated to UM-Flint by the Uptown Reinvestment Corporation with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. UM-Flint had previously leased space in this building for its School of Management. The university’s $6 million purchase of the FirstMerit Bank tower next door to Riverfront Center was completed in March 2016.

Combined, the two buildings add nearly 500,000 square feet to campus, increasing the cumulative square footage of campus buildings by more than 25 percent and providing much needed additional space. It is the first addition of academic space since 2002, when the William S. White Building opened.

“We saw an opportunity as a campus to expand programs and opportunities for our students, while at the same time deepening our investment in our community. As an anchor institution for the City of Flint, we are vested partners contributing to the life, vibrancy, and economic development of our community,” said Chancellor Susan E. Borrego.

Campus conversations are continuing to evaluate needs and set priorities to determine final usage of the former FirstMerit Bank building. Provost Douglas Knerr is leading those conversations.

Riverfront Residence Hall more than doubles the amount of on-campus housing available, adding 525 more beds to the 300 at First Street Residence Hall.