The University of Michigan is opening a new facility in Detroit with a reception on Sept. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. The center is located on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit. The University used to maintain the Rackham Building (built by the same Rackham who funded the building in Ann Arbor), but they have leased it to Wayne State University for years and it now sits unused. It’s a gorgeous building located in the heart of the Cass Corridor area (Across the street from the DIA) and I hope that eventually the University renovates the space and utilizes it for some of their work in the city.

U-M, which was founded in Detroit in 1817, has maintained a presence in the city for years. The University has owned the Rackham Building, leased to nearby Wayne State University (WSU), for more than 60 years and maintains a Detroit admissions office, as well as other outreach programs in various parts of the city. …

Social Work researcher Larry Gant, whose work includes the Center for Urban Innovation, a partnership with Detroit community organizations seeking to provide access to wireless technology for the city is already using the facility daily.

The four-member steering committee for the project was headed by Lester Monts, senior vice provost for academic affairs, and three U-M deans: Bryan Rogers of School of Art & Design, Doug Kelbaugh of Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning, and Paula Allen-Meares of the School of Social Work.

I thought the Center for Urban Innovation mentioned above sounds quite interesting, I plan on contacting Dr. Gant to hear about what they are working on and get information about the curriculum mentioned on their website.