Wayne State University under the strategic direction of President Irvin D. Reid is spearheading public-private partnerships to develop residential housing in Midtown and actively promote it to faculty, students and staff. It is the realization of Wayne State’s strategic plan to transform Midtown Detroit into a thriving urban collegiate community.

“Today more and more people are realizing the action is in Midtown Detroit,” Reid noted. “As we fulfill our strategic mission to revitalize Detroit, we have become part of the growing rhythm of this diverse neighborhood and we strive to help the campus community share in this vision for Midtown living.”

Specifically, Wayne State is involved in two key initiatives. The South University Village project on the site of the old Vernors Ginger Ale factory is a five-year $50 million project that encompasses a two-phase, mixed-use residential apartment housing and retail development, supported by a Wayne State public parking structure. South University Village, on which Wayne State broke ground with Grand Rapids-based Prime Development on March 21, 2007, is scheduled for completion in the spring/summer of 2008 and is expected to generate more than 195 temporary construction-related jobs and approximately 65 new jobs associated with the bank, retail operations and parking structure. Phase Two will add another $20 million of new construction in 2010-2012 providing a second five-story apartment or condominium project along Canfield. 

In addition, Wayne State is partnering with the University Cultural Center Association (UCCA) and a cadre of developers to promote to faculty, students, alumni and staff recently completed new housing units for purchase in Midtown. Wayne State and the UCCA, with generous financial support from Detroit Renaissance, created a brochure called “Midtown Living: Detroit Style” that highlights each state-of-the-art property. Those affiliated with the university can take advantage of financial purchasing incentives. Wayne State and the UCCA will host several open houses for the public and its key audiences as a major part of the initiative.

“This is an unprecedented partnership,” noted Sue Mosey of the UCCA. “The university has more than 32,000 students and 9,000 faculty and staff. The possibilities for transforming Midtown are limitless as members of the university community choose to live and work in this thriving cultural campus environment.” In fact, Midtown housing has expanded to more than 500 residential units, partly influenced by Wayne State’s new construction projects. Some university employees are choosing to move to residential areas close to work since many new Midtown apartment buildings, condominiums and lofts offer special incentives to faculty and staff.

Wayne State President Irvin D. Reid calls the Midtown resurgence, particularly the growth in residential living, a major sign of the university’s commitment to its neighborhood. “Promoting Midtown as a residential living destination drives the expansion of retail, dining and entertainment establishments,” Reid said. “Wayne State’s new residence halls are a shining example of how campus living can inspire those affiliated with the university to invest time and money here.” 

Wayne State also has been a major contributor to the development of the Midtown area through several projects. In addition to the nine campus buildings opened since 2000, the university also plans to construct new buildings including a new home for the School of Business Administration; Damon J. Keith Building and Center for Civil Rights, in the Law School facility; Richard J. Mazurek, MD, Medical Education Commons; and Marvin Danto Engineering Development Center.

According to the UCCA, Midtown Detroit has experienced more than $1.6 billion in new residential and commercial construction over the past 10 years – a notable achievement, in part, because of Wayne State’s efforts to stimulate further growth and development on campus and in Midtown.

For further information about housing options in Midtown, visit the University Cultural Center Association site and download the new "Midtown Living Detroit Style" booklet. 

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 11 schools and colleges to nearly 33,000 students.