[DetroitMan]

See the final UM Center for Innovation designs approved by regents

The University of Michigan board of regents on Thursday approved the final schematic design for the six-story research and education center it is building in downtown Detroit.

In a related move, the board also authorized the university to proceed with construction of the University of Michigan Center for Innovation, provided bids are within the project’s $250 million budget. The votes were unanimous, with Regent Denise Ilitch abstaining. Ilitch is a member of the Ilitch family whose real estate development business Olympia Development of Michigan LLC donated 4 acres of property for the project.

The university broke ground in December for the 200,000-square-foot center. The property is within the Ilitch's District Detroit area and bounded by Cass and Grand River avenues and West Columbia and Elizabeth streets.

UM is paying the Ilitches $9.57 million for a nearby, 1.18-acre parcel of land as the site for a student parking structure.

A $100 million donation from real estate mogul Stephen Ross and a $100 million earmark from the state are supporting the UMCI project. The university is raising the remaining $50 million to round out funding. The center is set to open in spring 2027 as the first of three buildings planned for the site, along with incubator space and a residential building. It will serve as a research, education and entrepreneurship center to develop talent and spur job creation and inclusive economic growth. Programs will include master's degree and workforce development programs that will focus on technology and innovation.

"UMCI will bring together the best of the University of Michigan to catalyze economic development in the city of Detroit," Provost Laurie McCauley said. "It will house a robust portfolio of academic programs, including new interdisciplinary graduate degrees and certificate programs aligned to the skills of the future needed to attract startups as well as major employers to the region.”

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/educat...detroit-center