FLINT, Michigan — The Ballenger Highway neighborhood has seen businesses come and go over the decades. But in recent years, many new eateries like Savvy Sliders have sprouted up in the area, and a brand-new multi-level apartment complex called Berkley Place Apartments. Newly painted murals have appeared on the sides of buildings, fences, and houses that are now a part of Flint Mural Plays which activate spaces around the city to combine art and storytelling.

Ballenger Highway is also home to local organizations like the Ballenger Highway Association, the Ballenger Square Neighborhood Association, and the Ballenger Park Coalition. In addition, the area boasts two large and prominent parks: Eldorado Vista Park and Ballenger Park. The Ballenger Square Neighborhood Association won the Landbank’s Clean & Green Award in 2015. 

Commemorating the area's history, Ballenger Park displays signage and a statue of William S. Ballenger Sr. who became one of the founding organizers of the Buick Motor Car Company. Ballenger Highway (the road) and Mott Community College’s Ballenger Fieldhouse were named after the civic activist and philanthropist.

Check out more photos below of the Ballenger Highway neighborhood:

Pictured on Dec. 27, 2023, a statue of William S. Ballenger sits as a beacon to commemorate the life of one of the founding members of Buick Motor Car Company. (Xzavier Simon | Flintside.com)Pictured on Dec. 27, 2023, a flower mural painted on a fence behind the Ballenger Square Neighborhood Association's sign on Forest Hill Ave. and Sloan St. (Xzavier Simon | Flintside.com)Pictured on Dec. 27, 2023, one of the Flint Mural Plays murals stands proudly on display outside Courtside Cuts on the corner of Flushing Rd. and N. Chevrolet Ave. (Xzavier Simon | Flintside.com)Pictured on Dec. 27, 2023, the brand-new 33-unit apartment complex opened during the pandemic brings new housing opportunities to the Ballenger Highway area. (Xzavier Simon | Flintside.com)Pictured on Dec. 27, 2023, a staple pillar in the Ballenger Highway area is Rube's Bar & Grill on the N. Chevrolet Ave. (Xzavier Simon | Flintside.com)Pictured on Dec. 27, 2023, a gorgeous mural sits on the side of the Weaver Family Dentistry building on Flushing Road. (Xzavier Simon | Flintside.com)Pictured on Dec. 27, 2023, the Ballenger Park sign gives the history of William S. Ballenger Sr., after whom the park and Ballenger Highway are named. (Xzavier Simon | Flintside.com)Pictured on Dec. 27, 2023, a colorful sign welcomes community members and residents to the Ballenger Square Community Association. (Xzavier Simon | Flintside.com)