U-M Center for Innovation in Detroit celebrates construction milestone

The University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit celebrated a milestone in the construction of its new facility Friday that brought together university, industry and community leaders to mark progress toward the center's planned opening in 2027.

The event marked the center's progress toward opening its new facility at 2121 Cass Ave. in Detroit, with just a year to go before the center's planned opening. The celebration, held at Lumen Detroit, highlighted the center's development and the partnerships shaping its future in Detroit.

As construction continues, the event offered guests an opportunity to see the progress on the 200,000-square-foot, all-electric facility. The building was designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification and will feature sustainable elements, including reduced energy and water use, ice-based thermal energy storage, a green roof and native landscaping, and renewable energy procurement.

"This milestone represents more than the progress of a building. It represents the momentum behind a shared vision for what is possible when the University of Michigan, Detroit and our partners come together," said Scott Shireman, executive director of the U-M Center for Innovation in Detroit. "UMCI will create new opportunities for students, faculty, industry and the community to learn, collaborate and build what's next."

The program also highlighted partnerships between UMCI and University of Michigan academic units, including the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

"Our Master of Urban Technology degree at UMCI will connect the University's academic excellence with Detroit's energy, creativity and innovation," said Taubman College Dean Jonathan Massey. "Our students will learn from the city and its people how we can build a better future—and they will accelerate that progress."

Speakers at the event included U-M President Domenico Grasso; Michael Behm, chair of the U-M Board of Regents; Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Cos.; Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield; Kerrie Mitchell Campbell-Mabins, president and CEO of Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation; and Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools Community District.

UMCI represents a significant expansion of U-M's presence in Detroit and is designed to bring together education, innovation, industry and community in a dynamic environment.

The event also included a presentation of a commemorative time capsule that will serve as a lasting symbol of the milestone and the University’s investment in Detroit. The time capsule was available for guests to view, followed by tours of the construction site.

The center will serve as a hub for U-M academic programs and opportunities in Detroit, offering professional and workforce development, youth programs and custom learning experiences, as well as community partnerships and public programming.

The U-M Center for Innovation in Detroit is expected to open in fall 2027.