Flint, Mich. — The City of Flint has announced plans to rename the Hasselbring Senior Center in honor of the late Eric Mays. This decision comes after the city served an eviction notice to the nonprofit that currently manages the center.
“The previous vendor adopted the same name as the center, which caused a high level of confusion,” said City of Flint Chief of Staff Ed Taylor in Jan. 6, 2025 press release. “By renaming the facility, we aim to clarify its mission while paying tribute to a local leader who embodied the spirit of service and community.”
Director of the Hasselbring Senior Center nonprofit, Beverly Lewis, says the name change is a “slap in Eric Mays’ face.”
“Eric Mays didn’t like him. He didn’t like Eric Mays. And in my opinion, the only reason why he’s doing this is to try to garner more community support…with what he’s trying to do to us,” Lewis said.
The nonprofit, which has operated the senior center since 2016, filed a civil complaint with the Seventh Circuit Court in Genesee County.
According to a Jan. 1 press release, the nonprofit will be seeking damages for lies and misrepresentation, reckless endangerment of the truth and continuous interference.
Lewis accuses the administration of using “unjust tactics that seek to silence, intimidate and diminish the positive work being done in our city’s underserved areas” by community-based organizations like theirs.
In early December, city officials announced they would evict the nonprofit on Jan. 5 after the Flint City Council indefinitely postponed extending the nonprofit’s lease agreement.
The postponement of the agenda item came after much dissent from members of the community who frequent the senior center, as well as several council members who publicly urged the administration to revise certain terms in the lease.
Prior to the postponement of the lease agreement’s approval, the city put out a bid on the management of Hasselbring on Aug. 20, 2024. An accompanying statement was released by the city on Sept. 18, 2024 alleging that alcohol had been allowed at the building which violated city policy and led officials to seek new management of the center. Lewis has cited these actions by the administration as examples of “bullying tactics.”
The city has not responded to Flint Beat’s request for comment on the accusations listed in the complaint.
Since the eviction notice, the nonprofit has refused to leave the building. The court hearing for the eviction is set for Feb. 12 at 10 a.m.
“We will be in the building until they force us out. It is business as usual, day to day,” Lewis said.
Lewis went on to reaffirm that the nonprofit will continue to provide services at a different location if they are unable to win this battle against the city’s administration.
For now, they are asking for city and statewide community members and officials to “amplify” their concerns and for support at the hearing.
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