Adam RollinsThe University of Michigan (UM) will build a $250 million Center for Innovation (UMCI) in downtown Detroit to support education, workforce development, research and public-facing programs. The UM Board of Regents recently approved the design for the building. The university expects to open the facility’s doors by 2027.
The university will build the 200,000-square-foot structure on a 4-acre plot of land. The facility is the first of three built on-site. Developers will build the other two – an incubator space and a residential building – at a future date. The project officially broke ground in December 2023, but a construction contract has not been awarded.
The building will be six stories tall and include a basement. The facility will feature shelled space providing flexibility and opportunities for expansion in the future. The university will dedicate the lower levels of the building to public-facing programs and reserve the upper floors for multidisciplinary graduate research.
Aside from public programs, the first two floors will also feature a cafe and shared office space for the UM Detroit Center, Admissions Office and School of Environment and Sustainability Clinic. The building will feature a mezzanine and atrium. In addition, the UMCI will engage with the Detroit community by hosting kindergarten through 12th grade programs.
The UMCI will use a mixed-model approach to support masters’ degrees and workforce development programs centered around technology and innovation. The facility will help talent-focused community development, job creation and economic development.
The state of Michigan has provided $100 million to support the project. In addition, UM received a private $100 million gift and will raise the remaining $50 million from donors.
