University of Michigan to reveal plans for massive housing, dining complex

The reshaping of the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus housing — including design plans for a massive new housing and dining complex — will be the focus of the Board of Regents meeting on Feb. 16, the school said Tuesday.

Architects will share design plans for a previously approved, 2,300-bed housing and dining complex to be built on the current Elbel Field. The last new residence hall built on campus, North Quad, was built in 2010 and has 450 beds. It was the first new undergraduate residence hall in 40 years.

Adding more Central Campus housing beyond that is also underway, and officials are expected to brief the board on what's being done.

Included in those plans are relocating the Michigan Marching Band practice field from Elbel to the site of the former Fingerle Lumber property just off the main campus. U-M bought that property in 2018 when Fingerle closed.

The site of the second phase of on-campus housing would be north of the U-M Sports Coliseum and includes additional property along South Division Street between Madison and Hill streets.

Most of that property is now privately owned. Several of those properties have been bought recently by U-M Regent Ron Weiser, who will transfer the ownership of those properties to the university for the cost he paid. Further properties will have to be bought and landowners in the area should expect U-M officials to contact them soon, the university said in a news release.

U-M President Santa Ono said the development of more Central Campus housing is needed to meet the needs of more students who are seeking affordable on-campus housing.

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"We are grateful for Regent Weiser’s ongoing assistance in acquiring these properties," Ono said in a statement. "Property acquisition is occurring at this time to allow for the smooth transition of current residents and begin site preparation in anticipation of construction."

Regents voted unanimously Dec. 8 to approve a $6.5 million initial planning contract with Robert A.M. Stern Architects. The architects will present details of the layout and design of the approved housing complex plan during the February meeting.

Currently, the university can house 11,353 students. That includes 8,960 undergraduates and 2,393 graduate students. Among the undergraduates living on campus, 76% are first-year students.

The regents will meet the afternoon of Feb. 16 in University Hall inside the Ruthven Building. The meeting is open to the public.

Contact David Jesse: 313-222-8851 or djesse@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @reporterdavidj