From the City of Ypsilanti:
Ypsilanti, MI, February 28, 2017: The City of Ypsilanti and the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority, in partnership with the Charter Township of Ypsilanti, are pleased to announce the installation of new wayfinding and parking signage throughout the Ypsilanti area. This project is the result of many partners’ contributions, including those of the former Ypsilanti Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Washtenaw County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Eastern Michigan University, the A2Y Regional Chamber, Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation, Washtenaw County, Eastern Leaders Group, St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital, Washtenaw Community College, the Charter Township of Ypsilanti, the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority, and the City of Ypsilanti.
“We are pleased to be one of the many stakeholders in the Ypsilanti area in support of this project. Wayfinding helps connect visitors to our attractions, events and other locations of interest,” said Mary Kerr, President & CEO of the Washtenaw County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This wayfinding program is intended to guide visitors and residents to our various destinations, provide an identity to the area which creates a sense of place, and assist people with locating additional points of interest, encouraging them to spend additional time and dollars in our area,” said Beth Ernat, Director of Economic Development for the City of Ypsilanti. “Signage is important to help people navigate the Ypsilanti area. Adding local artistic designs to the signs celebrates our local community’s creativity and talent,” said Mayor Amanda Edmonds. To that end, the steering committee held an open header design contest in 2015.
Local artist William Burgard’s designs were selected, and they will feature local icons Rosie the Riveter, the Tridge, a Hudson Commodore, and the Great Blue Heron. The project is the result of cooperative efforts and open community involvement, from the development of the signage master plan in 2015 to the final approval for sign design and locations from both the City of Ypsilanti’s City Council and the Charter Township of Ypsilanti’s Board of Trustees in late 2016. A total of eighteen wayfinding signs and nineteen parking signs will have been installed upon the project’s completion. A ribbon cutting will be held on Friday, March 10, 2pm at Ypsilanti City Hall in the upper level parking lot off of South Huron Street. Additional information, including the sign map, may be found at http://cityofypsilanti.com/644/Ypsilanti-Wayfinding-and-Signage-Project.
Photos from the Ribbon Cutting held March 3, 2017 are below: