FLINT, MI – An MSNBC segment next week is expected to focus on Flint's Oak Street Senior Apartments and a "new development starting in 2015," according to Glenn Wilson, president and CEO of Communities First, Inc.
"They heard about the work we were doing in the Flint community and wanted to do a story on the Oak School and our next project," Wilson said.
The Oak Street facility, a renovated old school house dating back to 1898, was redeveloped by Communities First with $5 million in state and federal grants into a 24-unit complex for low-income seniors. It opened in September.
On Monday and Tuesday, a production team from "Morning Joe" visited Flint, interviewing Wilson about Oak Street, the future project and the community.
"The piece we are working on looks at the creative reuse of old schools," said Jon Groat, a senior producer for "Morning Joe." "I think what's most interesting is it's sort of an adaptive reuse for low income housing."
Groat said tentatively the segment will air next week, although the day is still uncertain. "Morning Joe" runs from 6-9 a.m. on weekdays on MSNBC.
Construction on the location, 1000 Oak St., started more than a year ago, with aid from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Michigan State housing Development Authority and Michigan Local Initiatives Support Corporation.
Groat called the Oak Street development a "success story"
"The story we're pursing is ways that people are investing in the low-income communities and to sort of make investments in the neediest while retaining the character of the community," Groat said.
The Oak Street complex was filled to capacity shortly after it opened, and Wilson has said Communities First has created an environment that is great for residents as well as the community to come together.
"It's great to see our organization is being recognized on a national level," he said. "That's a testament to the quality of work that we do."