A momentous event for Detroit’s continued resurgence as ground was broken for the University of Michigan Center for Innovation, a $250 million project that promises to transform District Detroit and bolster the city’s reputation as a hub of technological and educational advancement. The groundbreaking ceremony, a culmination of five years of planning and anticipation, was attended by a cadre of notable figures, including owner of the Miami Dolphins and real estate developer businessman Stephen Ross, University of Michigan President Santa Ono, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Mayor Mike Duggan, and other university leaders.
“As we think about how we are going to grow our state, our economy, and our population, we know that when we are successful on all fronts, every one of us benefits from it,” said Gov. Whitmer. “It’s a public and private undertaking like this with so many who made investments to realize this opportunity right here in the heart of the city of Detroit, a city that’s on the rise, that this would add one more opportunity for Detroiters, future wolverines, our economy, and for this beautiful state we all call home.”
The innovation center’s location, a former parking lot on Cass Avenue at West Elizabeth Street, carries a deep significance, as it is situated just west of the Fox Theatre and notably behind Cass Technical High School. Could the University of Michigan Center for Innovation be a game-changer for the city’s Black community? Nestled behind Cass Tech, with its predominantly Black student body, this center is more than a new building on the city’ skyline; it poses as a potential catalyst for educational and economic advancement within a community that has often faced significant barriers to such opportunities. How might this center, with its focus on technology and research, open doors for young Black Detroiters, providing them access to advanced learning and career paths previously less accessible?
Furthermore, the center’s establishment in Detroit, a city with a rich African American heritage, raises questions about its broader impact on the community. Will it attract businesses and startups that prioritize diversity, thereby creating new job opportunities tailored to a diverse workforce? Could this influx of innovation and industry be the key to nurturing local talent and encouraging young Black individuals in Detroit to see themselves as future leaders and innovators in tech and research? Essentially, the University of Michigan Center for Innovation represents more than an investment in infrastructure; it’s potentially a significant step towards rectifying longstanding disparities and nurturing a more equitable and prosperous future for the Black community here in the city.
“Today marks the beginning of a tremendous journey that will undoubtedly shape the future of education innovation, and collaboration,” said principal of Cass Technical High School, Lisa Phillips. “This committed partnership with our students is a testament to the shared commitment with all involved to foster excellence, creativity, and pursuit of knowledge. Cass Tech is long known for its dedication to academic achievement and nurturing talent and diversity. The University of Michigan Innovation Center is renowned for its groundbreaking research and cutting-edge innovation brings a wealth of experience and resources to this partnership.” Phillips goes on to share that 12 out of the 32 valedictorians of Cass Tech were in attendance and are all headed to the University of Michigan.
The center’s funding is a testament to the collaborative spirit driving this project. It includes a $100 million gift from Stephen Ross, a matching $100 million contribution from the state of Michigan, and an additional $50 million expected to be raised from donors. Olympia Development, owned by the Ilitch family, has played a crucial role by donating 2.08 acres for the project, underscoring the community’s investment in this endeavor.
“I grew up here and though I created a life and became more successful than I could hope for in New York, I made a promise to come back home,” said Ross. “Although this project has been a long time coming, this has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my career, certainly the most impactful.”
The University of Michigan was originally founded in 1817 right here in the city of Detroit near city hall and moved out in 1837, and while this latest effort has been five years it’s truly been 186 years for the University of Michigan to find its way back home. “And the person who made this happen grew up on the west side, went to undergrad at Michigan and law school at Wayne State, and in the early 1970s went out on his own to New York and did very well. It didn’t take 186 years, but fifty years later, Stephen Ross has come back home with this $100M contribution and with what you’ve done, you’ve changed the history of the city,” said Duggan.
Originally set to be a partnership with Dan Gilbert, Stephen Ross, and the University of Michigan, the project underwent several transformations before reaching this point. The start of construction marks a significant milestone, especially considering the project’s origins tied to the failed Wayne County Jail project and Bedrock’s Dan Gilbert. In late 2021, a renewed vision was announced by Ross and Olympia for an innovation center within District Detroit, despite earlier setbacks.
Mayor Duggan reflected on the project’s journey, crediting UM President Santa Ono for playing a pivotal role in moving it forward. Duggan’s remarks highlighted the complex and often challenging path to the groundbreaking, noting that the project found its direction with Ono’s leadership.
It’s been a twisty road for 5 years, “but 14 months ago the road straightened and it was the day the University of Michigan hired the great president Santa Ono,” expressed Duggan. “Stephen and I was at wits end and was about to give up we had a zoom call with Ono and he said, ‘I’ve been reading about this, what’s taking so long? Do you know what this will mean to the University of Michigan to have this center of innovation in the city of Detroit, the opportunity for students, faculty, and what it would mean for the city?’ and as complicated as this deal was, he pushed us forward.”
President Ono, in his address, poignantly described the center as a “homecoming” for the University of Michigan, linking the institution’s origins in 1817 to the present. He emphasized the university’s commitment to public education and societal upliftment, resonating with Detroit’s ongoing renaissance and aspirations.
“In these 14 months, we’ve had a lot of conversations to get this right,” said University of Michigan President Santa Ono. “I think this is an incredible city and when I often say that I want us to not just be known as the University of Michigan but the university for Michigan, I mean Detroit also.”
The significance of the project extends beyond its educational and research facets. Chris Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Holdings Inc., acknowledged the collaborative efforts and persistence of Mayor Duggan and other stakeholders in overcoming various challenges affirming that this groundbreaking is special because homecomings are special.
Although a distinct project, the innovation center is expected to complement a broader $1.5 billion development plan approved by the Detroit City Council, spearheaded by Ross and the Ilitch family. This plan encompasses a mix of residential and commercial developments aimed at revitalizing District Detroit.
Ross expressed optimism about the project’s potential to catalyze growth in downtown Detroit and beyond, envisioning a domino effect of job creation and attraction to Michigan and Detroit.
“On behalf of the Detroit City Council, we are extremely proud to support this development,” said Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. “One that drives innovation, economic growth, and job creation for Detroiters. It also represents a powerful partnership between academia, industry, and community that will secure our future for decades to come. Innovation is the key for survival, for municipalities, businesses, educational institutions, and most importantly people in a global economy.”
Echoing Sheffield, Duggan expressed, “If you’re going to change the population trends in the city you got to have the jobs of the future, you got to have the businesses of the future, and to combine the excitement of economic growth in Detroit with the University of Michigan that highlights the jobs of the future, there are going to be young people coming to the city that may have never thought of coming here and it’s in the shadow of Cass Tech High School providing true inspiration.”
As the University of Michigan Center for Innovation begins to take shape, it represents not just a physical structure but a symbol of opportunity, progress, and a reimagined future for Detroit. Its impact, particularly for the young minds at Cass Tech and the wider community, is expected to be profound, marking a significant step in Detroit’s journey towards becoming a leading city in innovation and education.
“This center will be much more than just a building; it will be a catalyst for change, a hub for collaboration, a springboard for the next generation of innovators and thought leaders where dreams become reality,” said Sheffield. “A place that will empower the next generation of Detroiters to reach for the stars and change the world. The University of Michigan Center for Innovation will serve as a vessel that will help us with a critical issue in our city and that is retaining talented young Detroiters.”
