Leaders in state and city government, philanthropic organizations, urban development and the University of Michigan announced plans this week for a 14-acre Detroit Center for Innovation, located in the heart of the city's downtown.
The center will be anchored by a $300 million, 190,000-square-foot research and academic facility operated by the Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan. The building will house programs focusing on high-tech innovation across a variety of disciplines, including artificial intelligence, data science, entrepreneurship, sustainability, cybersecurity and more.
The facility will be funded by a sizable gift from alumnus Stephen Ross, who envisioned the overall Detroit Center for Innovation, according to the announcement, as well as donations from entrepreneur Dan Gilbert and other public and private funders.
Alongside the University of Michigan's facility, the first phase of the Detroit Center for Innovation will also include incubator services for startups and entrepreneurs, collaboration space for established companies, a conference center and event space. Construction is expected to begin in 2021.
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