U-M explores construction of new adult inpatient facility

Michigan Medicine will undertake an architectural planning study for a potential new adult inpatient facility in Ann Arbor.

Thursday, the board of regents authorized Michigan Medicine to hire HOK Group, Inc. architects at a cost of $18.4 million to complete a comprehensive assessment for this proposed construction project.

The proposed plan would include the relocation of 110 beds from University Hospital plus 154 new beds for a total of 264. In addition, the plan calls for up to 23 procedural suites for surgical and interventional radiology.

If construction goes forward following completion of the study, this proposed building would be constructed on the main medical campus, just west of the Frankel Cardiovascular Center.

“For years, we’ve experienced high demand for inpatient rooms and surgical suites. So this plan would fit our clinical strategy of increasing access to quality care for new and existing patients in the greater Ann Arbor area,” said Marschall Runge, M.D., Ph.D., CEO, executive vice president of medical affairs and dean of the U-M Medical School.

Michigan Medicine executives will work with HOK Group, Inc. on detailed design plans, construction schedules and costs of this proposed project. The plans will be presented at a future board of regents meeting for project approval prior to beginning construction.

The proposed adult inpatient facility is the latest project in Michigan Medicine’s quest to enhance patient access while improving quality and safety. The Parkland Plaza (West Ann Arbor) Health Center opened in November 2017, and the Brighton Center for Specialty Care is set to open in September of this year.