An aerial view of the renovations scheduled for the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, which will undergo a $140 million renovation it broke ground on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Displayed in blue is where a new three-story addition in what is now a courtyard for the school will be located. Image provided l University of Michigan
ANN ARBOR, MI - University of Michigan School of Dentistry Dean Laurie McCauley was all smiles when describing the upgrades the school will realize in just a few short years with 225,000 feet of new and renovated space.
With plans to renovate structures that were built more than 50 years ago, she spoke highly of the buildings' performance providing a space that has helped School of Dentistry become recognized worldwide.
"It has endured amazingly well over the last half century, but it was time for us to stand back and consider how dentistry and dental education have changed," she said. "We were determined to set the standard for dental schools and create a facility that rises to the caliber of the people in the facility."
UM on Tuesday broke ground on the $140 million project that will renovate 176,000 square feet inside the current buildings while adding another 48,000 square feet by building a three-story addition in what is now a courtyard for the school.
The project addresses deferred maintenance for the W.K. Kellogg Institute and Dental Building, which were built in 1940 and 1971 respectively, while creating a more welcoming patient entrance.
A view of the plans for a renovated courtyard for the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, which will undergo a $140 million renovation it broke ground on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Image provided l University of Michigan
Plans for the renovation and addition date back to 2013 and were top priorities for then-UM President Mary Sue Coleman.
UM approved the schematic design for the project in March, receiving $30 million from the state's 2017 capital outlay request for the renovations and construction. The university will fund the balance with Office of the Provost resources, School of Dentistry resources and investment proceeds.
State Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, said it was rewarding to be on hand for the groundbreaking after working with UM to make the project a reality for years.
"It's just a pleasure to have been a part of this process from the very beginning to be able to pull people together from both sides of the aisle - Sparties and Wolverines - to invest in this really important project," Warren said.
Construction will be coordinated in several major phases to allow the school to continue its educational, clinical and research mission during the renovation, with completion expected sometime in early 2022.
A view of plans for the new north entrance for the University of Michigan's School of Dentistry, which is undergoing $140 million in renovations. Image provided l University of Michigan
According to the university, a new main entrance and redesigned registration area will flow directly to pre-doctoral dental clinics, which will all be on one floor for a more streamlined and efficient entry to the school and appointments.
The renovated facility also will include updating outdated clinical space with a larger and more efficient configuration, and the creation of a unique clinic for special needs patients was funded with a $2 million grant from the Delta Dental Foundation, according to UM.
"The renovations here will not only improve access to extraordinary care, but also access to an extraordinary education," UM President Mark Schlissel said.
Plans for the new south entrance for the University of Michigan School of Dentistry include a ground-level addition closed in to create seminar and common space. Image provided l University of Michigan
Entrances on both the north and south ends of the building will be redesigned and constructed for better patient access. The north entrance, near the Fletcher parking structure, will be redesigned with a covered, drive-through entrance.
The current south entrance to the building along North University Avenue will be modified significantly, with a ground-level addition closed in to create seminar and common space. A new south entrance will direct patients toward the registration area and clinics on the north side of the building.
The project's new three-story addition includes two floors dedicated to research, with an open floor-plan for lab space that will allow researchers to better collaborate. Additional common areas, including lab benches, write-up spaces and break areas are included in the plans for graduate students, research assistants and faculty to utilize.
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