Community Profile: Ypsilanti Charter Township

Website: http://www.cityofypsilanti.com/

The City of Ypsilanti, named for a Greek war hero, was the second city in the state of Michigan to incorporate (in 1859). Home to Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti is a charming college town on the Huron River filled with historic architecture in one of the largest historic districts in the state. With a population of about 22,000 and a similarly sized population at EMU, the community offers two old-fashioned downtown commercial and entertainment centers, Downtown and Depot Town, and a variety of diverse neighborhoods and community parks.

Ypsilanti is home to an array of creative people and arts organizations, especially those associated with music, art and theater. As a result, the city hosts festivals and special events all year long, most notably Elvis Fest, one of the largest celebrations of “the King” of its kind, and the Heritage Festival, an historic encampment reenactment with jazz concerts, a parade, and historic home tours.

Linked to what became Detroit and Chicago first by the Sauk Trail and later by rail and major highways (Interstate 94 and Michigan Avenue), Ypsilanti has been a major manufacturing center in Southeast Michigan. As the regional economy transitions from heavy manufacturing, the city, which is largely built out, finds itself with interesting opportunities for redevelopment. To maintain its unique quality of life and to provide economic opportunities for its citizens, it actively and creatively seeks out partners to provide traditional city services in new ways and to attract new businesses to the community. Partnering with neighboring communities is a long-standing tradition, and the city has been certified as “Redevelopment Ready” by the Michigan Suburbs Alliance.

To the east, Detroit Metropolitan Airport lies only 18 miles (22 minutes) from downtown Ypsilanti, and Willow Run Airport is only about five miles (12 minutes) away. Consequently, the city looks to its membership in the Detroit Region Aerotropolis as a catalyst for redevelopment and tax base growth, benefiting not only the city, but also the broader region. Offering owners and employees of new businesses great neighborhoods, varied entertainment and recreation, and multi-modal transportation options, Ypsilanti, while steeped in history, has its eyes on the future for the 21st century.

Paul Schreiber
Mayor, City of Ypsilanti

Ypsilanti

Hipsilanti
By Amy Kuras - Metromode
January 24th, 2008