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http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/in...ve_to_dow.html

HealthPlus mulling move to downtown Flint; Could be another 380 employees for the city

by Joe Lawlor | The Flint Journal
Tuesday September 30, 2008, 7:04 PM

HealthPlus of Michigan, with headquarters in this building at Linden and Corunna roads, is eyeing a downtown Flint site.

FLINT, Michigan -- Another 380 employees could be headed to downtown Flint.

HealthPlus of Michigan is considering moving its headquarters from Flint Township in what would be a boon to a downtown that has seen its fortunes improve in recent years.

David Crosby, CEO of HealthPlus, said plans are still "in the early stages." He said it's impossible at this point to speculate on whether it would happen.

But Crosby said HealthPlus is interested in being part of downtown's comeback.

"We consider ourselves to be a very integral part of our community, and the renaissance of the downtown is important to the overall community," Crosby said.

Crosby said one of the locations under discussion for HealthPlus is the parking lot on South Saginaw Street, south of the University of Michigan-Flint pavilion.

Mark Holoweiko, a HealthPlus spokesman, said a number of pros and cons have to be weighed before deciding to make the jump to downtown -- including whether HealthPlus can sell its existing building on South Linden Road, parking, employee safety, restaurants in downtown and a workable business plan.

"We're committed to supporting Flint," Holoweiko said. But he said it also has to work financially. "This is really a business decision."

Employees of HealthPlus were told months ago, Holoweiko said.

Tracey Tucker, Flint Township's economic enhancement director, said she plans to meet with HealthPlus officials in the next week or two.

"We'd like to try to get them to stay (in Flint Township)," Tucker said.

Crosby said if they do decide to leave, it would have nothing to do with its Flint Township building, which he described as "up-to-date and serves us well."

If it were to take place, HealthPlus could apply for renaissance zone tax breaks, which eliminates real and personal property taxes for new downtown businesses. Any renaissance zone tax incentives would have to be approved by the city and state of Michigan.

Crosby said the tax incentives are a "small piece of the pie" and would not be the driving force behind the decision to relocate.

If it happens, it would be the latest in a string of high-profile new buildings in downtown.

Three new buildings downtown, including Wade Trim, Rowe Engineering and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, received renaissance zone extensions through 2023.

The new buildings come on the heels of the city installing the historic arches in 2003. Downtown also recently saw an influx of college students with the construction of residence halls for students on East First Street.

Crosby said HealthPlus was approached by Uptown Developments, which co-owns the three new downtown buildings, about the possible move.

Mayor Don WIlliamson said the interest by HealthPlus shows downtown is becoming attractive again.

"It would be a really big boost to downtown. We've come a long ways, but the journey is not over," Williamson said. He said he didn't want to talk about the project further because it's still in negotiations.

Larry Ford, director of the downtown development authority, said he was worried that HealthPlus would move to Oakland County. He said he's concerned about Flint Township losing a business, but he would rather they stayed in Genesee County.

"We're crossing our fingers. It would really add to the workforce downtown," said Ford.

But Pat Brown, co-owner of Mike's Triple Grill on South Saginaw Street, said while it would be helpful, HealthPlus would merely stem the tide of downtown job losses, including the City Hall cutbacks and at small businesses, that have hurt the sub and sandwich shop.

"They (job losses) have really been noticeable," Brown said. "We really need the workers here."

Ford said one problem is with 380 new workers downtown, an additional parking ramp would need to be built. He said the authority, as it stands now, doesn't have enough money to build another parking ramp to supplement the $10-million parking garage for the new Wade Trim and Rowe workers.

HealthPlus has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report for having "America's Best Health Plans" for commercial, Medicare and Medicaid plans.

Current building in Flint Township (taken by Bruce Edwards/The Flint Journal)