By this winter, moto-tourists, businesspeople, and commoners alike may find themselves in Ypsi once new wayfinding signage has been installed at the city's gateways off of I-94. Together with the city of Ypsilanti, its downtown development authority, and the Eastern Leaders group, the
Ypsilanti Convention and Visitors Bureau (YCAVB) is spearheading a new wayfinding signage project.
"It's not unusual these days for [convention and visitors] bureaus to get a little bit involved in community development, especially communities that are a little strapped for cash, like Ypsi is," says Debbie Locke-Daniels, the bureau's president.
The top priority is the installation of directional signs at the Huron Street and Michigan Avenue exits off of I-94, pointing the way to the city's downtown and Depot Town districts and Eastern Michigan University, among other possibilities. Those signs could be in place by year-end, with others to follow over the course of a multi-year project, Locke-Daniels says, adding: "My goal, over three years, is to see an overall cohesive look that has a feeling about it," perhaps in concert with a branding effort the YCAVB is kicking off next year.
Fact finding is now in progress: The bureau has hired a project intern, is viewing examples of signage from other communities, obtaining cost estimates, and plans to solicit three bids.
In the meantime, EMU's design department is working on pole banners to be hung throughout Depot Town, downtown, and Cross Street. Locke-Daniels says they will be installed by September.
Source: Debbie Locke-Daniels, president of the Ypsilanti Convention and Visitors Bureau
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar
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