University of Michigan board approves designs for $122M in ongoing construction

By Kellie Woodhouse Higher education reporter

Posted on Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 5:57 a.m.

A rendering of the $34 million parking garage planned for Lower Town.

University of Michigan

University of Michigan regents have approved the design for a $34 million controversial parking structure on Wall Street in lower Ann Arbor.

Project architect Neil Martin said he worked "sensitively" with residents concerned about the appearance and safety of the structure, which replaces the Fuller Road structure U-M had planned to build with the city but cancelled earlier this year.

Martin called the design —which includes a brick facade and garden— "warm and welcoming." Residents will have a chance to weigh in on the design during a July 31 meeting.

Tim Mortimer, president for a condo association located near the Wall Street site, could not be reached for comment following the 3 p.m. Thursday Board of Regents meeting.

A rendering of a planned $50 million School of Nursing building.

University of Michigan

Regents also approved the design for a new $50 million School of Nursing building planned for the northwest corner of campus.

The facility was proposed to alleviate a space crunch within the school.

"They are growing so fast," U-M Chief Financial Officer Timothy Slottow said of the nursing school. The nursing school's student body has increased 26 percent in the past 10 years.

The new building will be located at the intersection of Kingsley Street and North Ingalls Street, near the existing building, which will remain in use.

Project architect Michael Mckinnell said the new building will create a new corridor of activity on U-M's central campus.

"North Ingalls Street is going to become much more important in the university’s circulation pattern," he said.

The project will eliminate 125 parking spots.

The Board of Regents also approved a $6 million budget increase for an addition to the Institute of Social Research, a project first approved two years ago.

The additional money expands the scope of the project to include a 56,700-square-foot addition with four floors, up from the 44,700 square feet, three-floor addition proposed in 2010.

Lastly, the board approved the design for a $9 million renovation to the entrance and museum of Schembechler Hall.

The hall will now include a statue that commemorates each Wolverine football win.

Together the four approved designs cost $122 million.