© General Motors
DURAND, Mich. –– Before his successful foray into a seminal automotive industry in 1908 –– an entrance that correspondingly altered the business to this day –– General Motors founder William Durant cut his teeth producing carriages under Durant-Dort Carriage Company with his business partner Josiah Dort. After years of disrepair and neglect, GM plans to renovate Durant-Dort Factory One near downtown Flint as an homage to the automaker's forefather, but also to continue stabilizing the future of Flint and its metropolitan area through urban rejuvenation.
GM will invest millions to restore and repurpose the high-bay area of the factory’s west wing as an archive for an impressive auto collection presently under supervision at Kettering University and other noteworthy Flint vestiges from the Durant era. The second floor of the factory’s east wing will be renovated as a GM executives meeting area, as well as a space for community and educational groups to hold STEM-related classes, seminars, and research.
GM will invest millions to restore and repurpose the high-bay area of the factory’s west wing as an archive for an impressive auto collection presently under supervision at Kettering University and other noteworthy Flint vestiges from the Durant era. The second floor of the factory’s east wing will be renovated as a GM executives meeting area, as well as a space for community and educational groups to hold STEM-related classes, seminars, and research.
Before tackling the interior project, GM will work with architects from SmithGroupJJR, based in Ann Arbor, who have experience overhauling historic buildings and constructing contemporary archives.
GM purchased the factory in 2013 and has since invested $3 million to restore the exterior with new windows and doors, plus the installation of a fence around a GM-owned parking lot across Water Street. GM plans to renovate the interior of Durant-Dort Factory One near downtown Flint in early 2016, and expects a completion date to appear sometime in 2017.
GM's investment in the factory dovetails with a series of investments around Flint,
including $2 million into Kettering University to develop a powertrain
laboratory, $2 million into Kettering by 2018 for an automotive proving ground
for students, and $877 million into Flint Assembly for a new body shop. It will also renovate the Durant-Dort Carriage Company office building across the street from the factory.
With the uproar of activity occurring in and around Flint, we truly believe this community is on the cusp of serious revitalization. We absolutely love being a Flint area Chevy dealer with an awesome inventory of new Chevy cars and trucks, and we can't wait to see what GM does for its hometown.
With the uproar of activity occurring in and around Flint, we truly believe this community is on the cusp of serious revitalization. We absolutely love being a Flint area Chevy dealer with an awesome inventory of new Chevy cars and trucks, and we can't wait to see what GM does for its hometown.
Located at 9009 East Lansing Road Durand, MI 48429, Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand is revolutionizing the car buying experience. We provide all the transparency and customer service you need, while simultaneously making your purchase experience fun! Learn more about Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand, or for any questions contact us at (989) 288-2657 or visit our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com!
No comments:
Post a Comment