SIGN-UP FOR DETROIT 24/7 TODAY FOR YOUR CHANCE TO SHAPE DETROIT’S FUTURE; WIN PRIZES

Top Point Earners Receive HD Flip Video Cameras and Gift Cards to Detroit-based Businesses

Attend Detroit 24/7 Launch Party on Tuesday, May 1 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Detroit 24/7 Developed in Partnership with Community PlanIt with Support from the Knight Foundation

 DETROIT, April 25, 2012— Detroit Works Project Long Term Planning (DWP LTP) announces advanced registration is now available for its new mission-based online competition called Detroit 24/7 by visiting www.DetroitLongTerm/engagement/Detroit247.  Detroit 24/7 allows players of all ages to share their ideas for Detroit’s future while competing to earn points and win prizes.  The first mission is set to begin Monday, May 7.

The Community is invited to attend the Detroit 24/7 launch party on Tuesday, May 1 at Wayne County Community College District Downtown campus, 1001 W. Fort Street, Detroit 48226 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.  During the launch event attendees will learn more about the game and register to play.   Refreshments will be served.  There is no cost to attend, but RSVPs are appreciated.  To RSVP e-mail [email protected] or call 313-259-4407.

Detroit 24/7 challenges people of all ages to creatively think, learn and share their suggestions for how to improve the quality of life in Detroit with challenges such as Detroit Trivia, Community Mapping, and Role Playing Exercises.

Starting Monday, May 7 at 12:01 a.m.  Detroiters can being playing Detroit 24/7 and race against the clock through three time-based missions completing various challenges to earn points and badges.  There is no cost to play.  Any computer, smart phone or tablet with an internet connection allows people to access the game.  The focus of each mission and the times are:

• Mission #1 – Share your Detroit (Begins 12:01 a.m. May 7 and Ends 11:59 p.m. May 13)
• Mission #2 – Living in Detroit (Begins 12:01 a.m. May 14 and Ends 11:59 p.m. May 20)
• Mission #3 – Getting around Detroit (Begins 12:01 a.m. May 21 and Ends 11:59 p.m. May 27)

Detroit 24/7 provides players with more than just the satisfaction of accomplishing missions; there’s a chance to win prizes.  The overall top point earner, the top youth point earner, and one other member of the top 50 players will win an HD Flip Video Camera.  Players who earn the most achievement badges will be entered to into a drawing to receive gift cards to local Detroit businesses.

The ideas and input collected through Detroit 24/7 will be utilized by DWP LTP to help inform and shape the Strategic Framework Plan, also known as the guide for decision making, scheduled to be complete before fall of 2012.

“Detroit 24/7 is another tool we are using to engage city stakeholders in helping to shape Detroit’s future,” said Dan Pitera, civic engagement co-lead for DWPLTP.  “It’s a fun, interactive way for Detroiters to share their knowledge and think about the types of factors they consider most important to improving the quality of life in the city.”

Detroit 24/7 was developed in partnership with Community PlanIt with support from the Knight Foundation.  Other partners include Excellent Schools Detroit, Wayne County Community College District.

About Community PlanIt

Community PlanIt is a project of the Engagement Game Lab, an applied research lab at Emerson College focusing on the development and study of games and social media to enhance civic life. The EGL works directly with its partner communities to innovate civic engagement processes, augment stakeholder deliberation, and broaden the diversity of participants in local decision-making. Community PlanIt was created to focus on enhancing the community planning process for stakeholders and planners. It aims to lower participation barriers in community planning, enhance engagement by scaffolding learning in a fun way, and strengthen the trust between community members, planners, and decision makers.  To learn more visit  http://engagementgamelab.org/.

About Detroit Works Project Long Term Planning

Detroit Works Project Long Term Planning is developing a Strategic Framework Plan that will serve as a guide for the community, city government, non-profits, and businesses to make decisions that will help Detroit to become a city with healthier, more viable neighborhoods that can support current residents while still attracting new ones; and reenergize Detroit’s economy while increasing job opportunities for Detroiters.

With expected completion in August of 2012, as part of the strategic framework there will be:

• A shared vision for the city and its neighborhoods;
• Public policy recommendations that can be incorporated into important governing documents such as the Master Plan of Policies for the City, or zoning ordinances;
• Implementation strategies that can be executed by government, investors and businesses, and community-based organizations.

To learn more about Detroit Works Project Long Term Planning visit www.DetroitLongTerm.com; stop by the project’s HomeBase located at 2929 Russell Street in Eastern Market between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or call 313-259-4407.

Contact: James Canning, 313-580-2845,  [email protected]