The Michigan Legislature has voted to approve capital outlay funding for projects on the U-M Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campuses.
The three projects received planning authorization approval last Wednesday and are awaiting Gov. Rick Snyder’s signature.
The state’s capital outlay process is devoted to planning and financing the acquisition, construction and renovation of facilities used by universities and community colleges. When a project is made possible through the capital outlay process, the investment is shared between the university and the state of Michigan.
“We are grateful to Gov. Snyder and the state Legislature for this capital outlay investment,” says Cynthia Wilbanks, vice president for government relations. “This initial approval will allow us to undertake much-needed projects that have been included in our planning for several years but for which we lacked funding.
“The state’s support gives us the means to renovate three existing structures and create suitable physical space for important academic functions.”
Ann Arbor campus
The Ann Arbor request is for the increased capacity and redesign to the School of Dentistry. The proposed $122 million project would renovate approximately one-third of the existing building in areas with the highest priority and need.
An addition of approximately 31,000 square feet will provide additional contemporary research and patient care areas that are not compatible with the structure of the existing building.
The school also will construct a clinic for special-needs patients, including children with the help of a $2 million donation from the Delta Dental Foundation of Michigan.
UM-Dearborn
The UM-Dearborn request is to replace the Engineering Laboratory Building. The ELB requires an updated design and infrastructure to adequately serve as the primary classroom, teaching and research facility.
A new ELB will enable the College of Engineering and Computer Science to respond to growing regional and national demand for engineering graduates, and UM-Dearborn’s plan to double the number of CECS graduates by 2020. The estimated cost of the project is $90 million.
UM-Flint
The UM-Flint request is to expand the Murchie Science Building. This project will complement the current renovation project that was partially funded by the state and approved by the Board of Regents in September 2013.
An addition of approximately 80,000 square feet to MSB will accommodate the growth in students majoring in mathematics and the sciences by constructing additional state-of-the-art teaching laboratories and instructional spaces. The estimated cost of the project is $39 million.
