Flushing Turned a Dentist's Office Into Its Library. It Reopened Oct. 6, 2025.

By Carrie Thompson, Strategic Marketing Real Estate Agent, eXp Realty, Grand Blanc, MI

The Flushing branch of the Genesee District Library now operates out of a renovated former dental office at 220 Boman Street in the City of Flushing. The library closed its old building on September 22, 2025, reopened to the public at the new address on October 6, 2025, and held a ribbon cutting there on November 5, 2025 (Genesee District Library) (Mid-Michigan NOW, November 5, 2025).

The building carries the name of the dentist who practiced there. According to the library, the building was named the Wendell W. Phelps, DDS Memorial Library (Genesee District Library).

The city and township bought the building after a council vote

In December 2024, the City of Flushing and Flushing Township purchased the former dentist's office on the corner of Boman Street and Chamberlain Street, according to the library (Genesee District Library). ABC12 reported that the city acquired Dr. Wendell Phelps' former dentist office and renovated it into space for the library (ABC12, September 3, 2025). Earlier, in October 2024, the Flushing City Council voted unanimously to move the library to the site at the intersection of Boman and Chamberlain streets (WNEM, December 31, 2024).

Flushing Mayor Edward Sullivan told WNEM the move was his idea. "I think that the new location, with the right vision, can be a showplace for the GDL," he said (WNEM, December 31, 2024).

Not everyone was sold at first. Sullivan told WNEM he was aware of people on social media who opposed the move and said the new location has about 800 square feet less space. His answer was to ask for patience. "Give us time to make this work," he said (WNEM, December 31, 2024).

The move freed up room for the Flushing Area Senior Center

Before the move, the library shared a building with the Flushing Area Senior Center (WNEM, December 31, 2024). WNEM reported that the senior center had to rent space when it held an event (WNEM, December 31, 2024). With the library gone, the senior center takes over the library's former space (ABC12, September 3, 2025).

The library's previous home was the former Duramold building at Maple and Elm streets (Genesee District Library). ABC12 quoted City Manager Michelle King referring to "the old location on Maple Street" (ABC12, September 3, 2025), while WNEM described it as the library's "current location near Main Street" (WNEM, September 17, 2025).

Library Director David Conklin explained the reason for the move to WNEM. "Community growth prompted that. The city of Flushing officials contacted us," he said, adding that the city saw "an opportunity to expand the senior center area" (WNEM, September 17, 2025).

The new space is smaller but built around parking and room to grow

Officials did not hide that the new building is smaller. "Even though we're going to a little bit smaller space, because the space is designed specifically for libraries, it makes it so much nicer," Conklin said. "It's used so much more efficiently." He pointed to parking as a plus: "It's really got ample parking, so that's going to be nice because down here in the city of Flushing, parking is such a premium" (WNEM, September 17, 2025).

King framed the smaller footprint as a starting point. "We've got all of this area behind us that we can eventually add onto the library to add on wings, to expand it," she told ABC12 (ABC12, September 3, 2025).

She also described ideas that are plans, not finished work: "Eventually a path here to City Hall just to kind of give us that campus experience. It'll also have a pavilion outside and maybe even someday a fire pit." Sullivan added his own hope for the grounds: "I envision chamber music on a summer evening on a little platform here" (ABC12, September 3, 2025).

What is inside the Boman Street branch today

The library lists eight computers for public use, fax and copy service, free Wi-Fi, a 3D printer, a filtered drinking fountain with a bottle filler, and a meeting room. A donation from Dort Financial Credit Union paid for a mural and new shelving, and the children's area is named the Kids Zone (Genesee District Library).

Posted hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The branch is closed Friday and Sunday. The phone number is (810) 659-9755 (Genesee District Library).

Library service in Flushing goes back to 1873, when the Ladies Library Association was formed. The library became part of the county library system in 1966. In 1991, the City of Flushing and Flushing Township bought the Duramold building, an empty manufacturing plant at the corner of Maple and Elm streets, which became the library's previous home (Genesee District Library).

Who pays for what at a Genesee District Library branch

The Genesee District Library operates 19 locations across Genesee County. Kelly Flynn, the library's community relations manager, explained the split: "They provide and maintain the building, and we provide staff, materials, and equipment" (Genesee County View, September 11, 2025).

In Flushing, that partnership includes the township. On October 14, 2025, the Charter Township of Flushing board voted 7 to 0 to approve a library agreement with the City of Flushing (Flushing Township Board minutes, October 14, 2025). Branch Operations Manager Amy Klebba said city and township officials "have been open to feedback every step of the way" (Genesee County View, September 11, 2025).

What this means if you are buying or selling in Flushing

A public building changing hands changes traffic and parking on the streets around it. If you are buying near Boman Street, Chamberlain Street or City Hall, drive the block on a weekday afternoon and a Saturday morning to see how library visits affect parking. If you are selling near the old library and senior center building, expect buyers to ask what the senior center expansion means for daytime activity. The city's ideas for a path to City Hall and a pavilion are still plans, so ask the city before treating them as done.

Every listing I take gets professional photos and video, room sizes, targeted digital ads, and targeted buyer avatars. Call or text Carrie Thompson at (810) 893-3269.

About Carrie Thompson

Carrie Thompson, "Your Favorite Property Girl," is a Strategic Marketing Real Estate Agent (REALTOR®) with eXp Realty serving Grand Blanc and Genesee County, Michigan, including Flushing, Clio, Montrose, Swartz Creek, and Flint Township. Michigan license 6501338662. Call or text (810) 893-3269.