University of Michigan Center for Innovation (District Detroit)
2121, 2115 Cass Ave.
What does it look like?
The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved the schematic design for the Center in March 2024. Image credit: Kohn Pedersen Fox, via University of Michigan
What's happening?
Plans for the University of Michigan Center for Innovation (previously the Detroit Center for Innovation) to be built in the District Detroit were announced in December 2021. The center will be part of a three-building campus and is a partnership between the University of Michigan, the Ilitch family's Olympia Development of Michigan and Stephen Ross' real estate firm The Related Companies.
Developers broke ground on the project in December 2023, narrowly beating a groundbreaking deadline to receive $100 million earmarked in the 2023 state budget. The $250 million facility is expected to be completed in 2027.
The university avoided negotiating a community benefits agreement for the project, but two elements of the campus are part of the 2022 District Detroit plan, therefore subject to the community benefits agreement and receiving related brownfield tax incentives. They are a new residential building and the conversion and expansion of the vacant former Loyal Order of Moose Lodge building into a business incubator.
Earlier plans called for the center to be built at the failed jail Gratiot site downtown owned by Bedrock, but the partnership was dissolved.
Sources: University of Michigan, Detroit Free Press, Outlier Media, MLive
What are the property details?
| Parcel ID: | 02000353-6 |
|---|---|
| Taxpayer: | REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF et al |
| Taxpayer address: | 2121 CASS DETROIT MI 48201 |
| Dimensions: | 396.58 ft by 410.651 ft |
| Parcel ID: | 02002290. |
|---|---|
| Taxpayer: | MOOSE BUILDING LLC |
| Taxpayer address: | 2211 WOODWARD AVE DETROIT MI 48201 |
| Dimensions: | 104 ft by 135 ft |
| Parcel ID: | 02000402. |
|---|---|
| Taxpayer: | MOOSE BUILDING, LLC. |
| Taxpayer address: | 2211 WOODWARD AVENUE DETROIT MI 48201 |
| Dimensions: | 34 ft by 83 ft |
Where is it?
Other details
Subject to community benefits ordinance?Yes