The objective of TOUR:Detroit is to provide a unified gateway to downtown Detroit's increasingly popular attractions and sites, and to foster awareness of new economic development and related opportunity. The program concept of TOUR:Detroit is to provide a dedicated point of information and origination for tours of interest to individuals, groups and families. Campus Martius Park (CMP) was chosen as the tour starting point based on the high level of awareness of the park's location. CMP is also adjacent to inexpensive, covered parking in public parking lots and TOUR:Detroit participants can also enjoy walking to nearby attractions, restaurants and shops.

Beginning Saturday, May 6, three tours will begin at CMP. The TEDC will host a reprise of its "D-Tour" which launched in 2005 and profiles a blend of historical facts and sites coupled with a focus on exciting new business and cultural developments in the downtown area. In addition TOUR:Detroit will include City Living Detroit's (CLD) popular tours of local residential developments such as condominiums, lofts and skyscapes, and Preservation Wayne will also offer its fact-filled walking tours of Detroit's rich architectural history.

"TOUR:Detroit was developed as an umbrella program to address public interest in touring downtown Detroit, but in a predictable manner to include a dedicated point of origin, convenient parking and a consistent event schedule," said Jim Townsend, TEDC executive director. "We believe that TOUR:Detroit can grow to include expanded and new tours that will appeal to a wide variety of interests for visitors and local residents."

"City Living Detroit's tours have been very successful, and the partnership with the TEDC and TOUR:Detroit will provide an opportunity for locals to get a first-hand look at the increased vibrancy in downtown Detroit and the volume and variety of residential opportunities in the area," said Austin Black II, City Living Detroit founder.

"Preservation Wayne tours focus on the rich history of downtown Detroit and its architecture which must be smartly nurtured and protected in conjunction with the growing mix of new development," said Francis Grunow, Preservation Wayne executive director.

TOUR:Detroit Facts

TOUR: Detroit will kick-off from Campus Martius Park on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. with Preservation Wayne's tour on Detroit history and landmarks. Tickets are $10. A D-Tour, coordinated by the TEDC, will be held at 1 p.m. from CMP and will feature Detroit attractions and development. Tickets are $5. On Saturday, May 13, TOUR:Detroit will feature a Preservation Wayne tour at 10 a.m. and a City Living Detroit tour at 1 p.m. City Living Detroit tours are free. For registration and more information on TOUR:Detroit, visit http://www.tourdetroit2006.com , or call 313-202-1948.

About City Living Detroit (CLD) http://www.citylivingdetroit.com

City Living Detroit promotes Detroit as a vibrant urban center by providing resources that encourage people to live in the city. CLD was established by five young professionals who are inspired and passionate about the ongoing revitalization of the city. The founding members were encouraged by the magnitude of the housing development occurring in Detroit and wanted to create a source to provide information to the public and encourage people to live in the city.

About Preservation Wayne (PW) http://www.preservationwayne.org

Preservation Wayne is Detroit's oldest and largest architectural preservation organization. As the first Detroit recipient of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Honor Award, we have been working to honor Detroit's rich architectural heritage since 1975. Over the last three decades, the scope of Preservation Wayne has grown to encompass the entire city, from historic homes to skyscrapers to sites of cultural significance.

About the Tourism Economic Development Council (TEDC) http://www.tedconline.com

The TEDC was formed in 2002 as a division of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau to implement the Tourism Vision, a 10-year blueprint for growing tourism spending in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties and the City of Detroit. Chaired by Detroit business executive James B. Nicholson, the TEDC includes the mayor of Detroit, county leaders from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties and leading corporate and civic executives in the region.