The University of Michigan Board of Regents has approved the schematic design for the University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit, a six-story building expected to open in spring 2027.
The lower floors of the building will contain public-facing programs, and the upper floors will be dedicated mostly to graduate programs.
The regents also have authorized the university to proceed with construction, provided that bids are within the project’s $250 million budget.
The university says the first two floors will house public programs, a cafe and shared office space for the U-M Detroit Center, Admissions Office, School of Environment and Sustainability Clinic and others; levels three through six will provide space for multidisciplinary graduate research.
The proposed 200,000-gross-square-foot building will be the first of three buildings to be constructed on the site. The other two —an incubator space and a residential building—will be developed at a future date.
The university envisions the center as a world-class research, education and entrepreneurship center designed to advance innovation and talent-focused community development.
Programming at the innovation center will offer a mixed-model approach that includes both master’s degrees 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,” said U-M Provost Laurie McCauley.
