Wayne State University launches its Walk [Wayne State] campaign today, encouraging residents, students, employees and visitors to explore campus and Midtown by foot or bicycle. Quirky but practical temporary signs posted around campus and surrounding neighborhoods will direct pedestrians and cyclists to nearby destinations of interest. The campaign is coordinated by the university's Office of Economic Development. 

With messages like: "It is a 10 minute walk to a world-class symphony" or "It is a 16-minute bike ride to wave to Canada at the Riverwalk," the signs alert campus regulars and newcomers alike to the many noteworthy destinations that are a short walk or bike ride away. The signs also aim to draw the larger Midtown community to attractions on campus, including the popular climbing wall and bike rentals at the Mort Harris Recreation Center and local businesses like University Pharmacy and The Social Club. QR codes on each sign enable users to bring up maps and additional information on their mobile devices.

"Walk [Wayne State] encourages people to explore the many points of interest on the Wayne State campus and in the Midtown neighborhood," says Jeri Stroupe, senior project administrator in the Office of Economic Development and coordinator of the project. "The hope is that people will see how many destinations are in easy walking and biking distance, while at the same time discovering neighborhood gems and contributing to the lively street life for which Midtown is known."

Walk [Wayne State] is one of several placemaking initiatives coordinated by the Office of Economic Development, all designed to contribute to a vibrant Midtown. The office coordinated Park[ing] Day, in which parking spaces were converted to pocket parks; an "I Want ______ at Wayne State" campaign that crowdsourced ideas for public spaces on campus; and installation of a public bike repair stand and air pump on central campus. In April, the office will bring 14 reproductions of renowned artworks to campus and the Midtown neighborhood as part of the Detroit Institute of Art's Inside|Out program. 

Walk [Wayne State] uses the Walk [Your City] online toolkit, first developed in Raleigh, NC and now used in communities across the U.S. Wayne State and Midtown community members are encouraged to provide feedback and support on the signs and other university placemaking efforts at Neighborland.com/waynestate or via Twitter using the hashtag #wsuplace. 

For more information on placemaking efforts at Wayne State University, visit economicdevelopment.wayne.edu/placemaking.php. 

Wayne State University is one of the nation's pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. Founded in 1868, Wayne State consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 370 programs to nearly 28,000 graduate and undergraduate students. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, Wayne State seeks to provide a world-class academic experience while fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life in the city of Detroit, the state of Michigan and throughout the world.

The Office of Economic Development leads Wayne State University's efforts to catalyze business activity and promote a vibrant Midtown Detroit. The office works across the university to leverage Wayne State's assets--its talent, its research and technology, its facilities and its real estate--to stimulate growth, and strengthen Midtown and neighborhoods across the city.