During peak production at the six-factory, 235-acre complex, thecompany employed as many as 28,000 auto workers and turned outhundreds of Buicks and other large-model cars each day. Buicks weremanufactured at the facility for about 100 years until productionceased in 1999.

GM has engaged Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle to market thesite. The auto giant says the RFP is the first step toward plannedfuture redevelopment for the site, which could be redeveloped forindustrial, commercial, recreational, residential orinstitutional/educational uses.

"We're optimistic to see this property redeveloped to fit theneeds of the community," says Doug Rothwell, executive director, GMWorldwide Real Estate. "GM is looking forward to continuing ourrelationship with the state and local organizations and workingwith Jones Lang LaSalle to identify a potential new use for thisproperty." GM is working with the City of Flint, the Flint-GeneseeEconomic Growth Alliance, the Flint Economic Development Corp., theMichigan Economic Development Corp. and the governor's office onpotential redevelopment options for the site.