The University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor has agreed to acquire 7. 28 acres of vacant land at the former Kmart headquarters in Troy for $4. 4 million to build a multi-specialty facility.
UM’s board of directors on Thursday approved the acquisition of the parcel from owner Forbes/Frankel Troy Ventures. It is at 3100 W. Big Beaver Road, just west of Somerset Collection North.
The former fortress-like Kmart complex, located at the northwest corner of W. Big Beaver Road and Coolidge Highway, has been vacant since 2006. Demolition began late last year on the three-story structure, one of the most inefficient buildings ever designed. with its 23 circular buildings, connected pods. It took 10 minutes or more to walk from one goal to the other.
“We are excited to announce our plans for a long-term presence and engagement with Oakland County patients, in line with our efforts to create a statewide network of care for Michiganders to get our world-class care close to home. “said Marschall S. Runge, CEO of Michigan Medicine, dean of the School of Medicine and executive vice president for medical affairs. “
“We plan to expand a facility focused on complex and specialized diagnostic services. This is a point for UM Health’s broader and deeper presence in southeast Michigan.
This is one of several UM Health projects expected to attract patients in southeast Michigan. Others include the 12-story D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, scheduled to open in 2025 in Ann Arbor, and Ypsilanti Health. Center in the center of Ypsilanti, scheduled to open by the end of 2024.
“This new investment will bring our UM Health expertise to an entirely new patient community, offering greater access to our nationally identified clinical expertise and innovation for the citizens of metro Detroit,” says David Miller, president of UM Health.
“We are excited to move to a giant, seamlessly available location in Troy, where we will continue to expand our footprint. We hope this new facility will house complex, state-of-the-art clinical programs, adding multidisciplinary cancer care.
According to Michigan Medicine, this construction will adhere to the university’s rules related to its Environmental and Energy Design Leadership Program to minimize negative environmental impacts.
“I am thrilled with University of Michigan Health’s acquisition of the former Kmart headquarters in Troy, marking a vital milestone in the specialty clinic’s expansion in Oakland County,” said Dave Coulter, Oakland County Manager. “Healthcare is our largest sector of employment, employing one in seven people in our workforce. This investment underscores our commitment to achieving better accessibility and innovation to health care for our residents. “
“Furthermore, UM Health’s commitment to achieving LEED certification at the former Kmart headquarters reflects its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, establishing commendable popularity for healthcare facilities. “
Over the years, developers have unveiled unrealized plans for the site, adding the Trojan Pavilions, a $300 million project for walkable, outdoor-facing commercial, office, residential and entertainment services unveiled in 2007. There would have been a public skating rink, a 3,000-meter theater, restaurants, grocery store, and parking lot.
Local and state officials praised the allocation and approved tax credits for it, but the resulting housing crisis and the Great Recession caused its downfall.
To read an award-winning DBusiness article on the demise of Kmart Corp. , titled “Polyester Palace,” here.