UM-Flint to transform abandoned house into classroom

FLINT— University of Michigan-Flint is transforming an abandoned house near downtown Flint, 519 Garland St., into an Urban Alternatives House.

The house will serve as both a classroom and a laboratory to explore better ideas for urban living. The house will provide an example of energy efficient building, and will help illustrate the functioning of energy generating systems, storm water management systems and landscape management.

The university also adopted the vacant lot immediately to the south of the house, and will work to clean and beautify it. The lot will become the Urban Garden, which will serve as as a base for instruction, community projects and active participation in making the UAH a sustainable environment. Special K-12 projects will also take place at the house and the garden. Focus for projects will involve the science aspects of energy use and conservation.

The Urban Alternatives House is a major initiative by U of M-Flint to reach out beyond the campus into the Flint community.

The ultimate goal of the program is to teach students and faculty to engage themselves in the issues of developing sustainable buildings and sustainable lifestyles. — Anna Stodola