FLINT, MI—The Michigan State University plans to lease 40,000 sq. ft. at the former Flint Journal newspaper building to house the MSU College of Human Medicine’s public health program.
Uptown Reinvestment Corp., a non-profit group, bought the property after it was closed by the Journal’s successor, the MLive Media Group. Uptown plans to renovate the rest of the 120,000-sq.-ft. building into loft apartments.
The Board of Trustees for the East Lansing, Mich.-based college has agreed to pursue the lease, and is working with Uptown on finalizing financing arrangements. The base rent will be paid with a grant, according to a statement by the university. “The space in the former Flint Journal newspaper building will deepen the college’s presence in the Flint community, increasing the number of third- and fourth-year students and providing space for newly recruited MSU public health researchers,” the school said.