Big 3 universities pivotal in Detroit's revival
Wayne State University is an anchor in Detroit, where university officials have worked to reduce crime and partnered in community projects such as the QLine and Live Midtown. As a result, the nearby retail community has grown and thousands more students are living on campus and other residents are making their homes in the nearby neighborhoods. These are a few ways that the alliance of the state’s three largest universities has played a role in the revitalization of Detroit, in collaboration with city officials, educators and members of the local business, arts and other communities, according to a report unveiled Thursday at the Mackinac Policy Conference. Released by the University Research Corridor — a collaboration of WSU, UM and MSU — the report outlines the numerous ways that the state’s three largest universities are assisting in Detroit’s resurgence. According to the report, the URC is engaged in more than 300 projects in Detroit, producing $958 million in annual economic impact, 1 in 20 jobs in the city, and $263 million in research activities between 2010 and 2014. URC projects include efforts to improve education delivery in Detroit, build community, offer public health, and provide community service, arts programs and economic revitalization. “Each of the universities are individually and collectively committed to working in partnership with a lot of other organizations to help the recovery of this great, iconic city,” said Jeff Mason, URC executive director.
