Developer Ashley Capital recently secured a lease with Bunzl Distribution Inc. for a prime space at the revitalized former Buick City site—a milestone that marks the first building occupied in a dynamic $300 million redevelopment initiative.
At the newly christened Flint Commerce Center, Bunzl Distribution has taken over 162,600 square feet of industrial space. This new chapter at the site follows last year’s lease by General Motors supplier Victory Packaging, which now occupies the other half of the spec building. Together, these tenants help kick-start the bustling future of the property, with Bunzl providing employment opportunities for about 50 workers in its state-of-the-art warehouse, alongside over 50 jobs already created by Victory Packaging.
Bunzl Distribution, originally headquartered in London and known for its extensive range of retail and restaurant products—from foam trays and food containers to material handling and janitorial supplies—brings strength to the redevelopment plan. With more than 8,000 employees globally and annual revenues reaching $12 billion, their presence in Flint underscores a growing national trend in transforming industrial assets.
Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This is great news for Flint and its residents.” He emphasized that the transformation of the historic Buick City location showcases the community’s resilience and the promising revitalization underway, highlighting the fruitful collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The fully leased 330,000-square-foot building is just the beginning on this expansive 350-acre site—once left desolate following General Motors’ 2009 bankruptcy. Developer Ashley Capital has set its sights on reinventing one of the region’s largest brownfield sites, aiming to attract a range of manufacturing and logistics enterprises that are expected to generate 2,500 permanent jobs in the future.
In a related development from late last year, NanoGraf Corp. announced plans to invest $175 million in an electric vehicle battery components plant, supported by a $60 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. Despite some federal funding uncertainties amid shifting policy directions, company representatives affirmed that the momentum behind the project remains strong, and phase two of the redevelopment is actively moving forward.
Susan Harvey, Senior Vice President at Ashley Capital’s Detroit office, attributed this early success to robust partnerships between the public and private sectors, paving the way for the ongoing transformation of the over 300-acre redevelopment site.
This positive stride in Flint not only breathes new life into a historic location but also sets the stage for significant job creation and economic growth, reinvigorating community spirit and laying the groundwork for a thriving industrial future.