University of Michigan Regents approve design for Institute for Social research addition
![ISR_rendering.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2010/07/ISR_rendering-thumb-590x391-47345.jpg)
This rendering shows the ISR addition.
Photo courtesy of the University of Michigan
The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved a building design for an addition to the Institute for Social Research building at its meeting today.
A four-level addition of approximately 44,700 square feet was proposed to the existing Institute for Social Research building on U-M's Ann Arbor campus. The addition is meant for office and research spaces, collaborative meeting spaces, and secure data and biospecimen storage.
The $23 million project also includes renovating about 7,200 square feet of the existing building, which will connect to the addition.
An additional 30 to 35 spaces at the Thompson Street parking structure should accommodate additional parking demand.
The regents approved the Institute for Social Research addition at the April meeting. Lord, Aeck and Sargent Inc. was approved for its design.
Funding is coming from an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 grant from the National Institutes of Health, Office of the Provost resources, and Institute for Social Research resources.
The addition to the facilities would increase the institute's ability to support growing research programs and integrate research programs within a single complex, the Regents said.
Construction is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2013.
Tina Reed is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at tinareed@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2535.
Comments
CER
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 10:04 p.m.
Lord, Aeck & Sargent is a registered Michigan corporation, and has been in downtown Ann Arbor for ten years. During that time the firm has employed over 20 Michigan residents and has contributed greatly to the local economy. The employees at Lord, Aeck & Sargent are dedicated community members who contribute to many local organizations.
Lynn Lumbard
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 8:50 p.m.
Annie, are trying to muddle this conversation up with facts? Shame on you.
Annie
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 8:07 p.m.
Lord, Aeck & Sargent is indeed a Michigan firm. They have had an office in Ann Arbor for 10 years, they support the local economy and have become very much a part of the community.
Somewhat Concerned
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 8 p.m.
If don't think UM supports the local economy, guess at what it would like without UM. As a public university, spending (only in part) public money (more money comes from federal grants and donations), UM has some obligation to spend money wisely. That means it sometimes will buy outside the state because the best supplier is from outside the state. Does anyone really believe that the best company for everything is in Michigan? That sounds more like a New Yorker claim. Just imagine our area without UM. It would look something like Benton Harbor or Saginaw.
Craig Lounsbury
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 7:47 p.m.
"When is the University of Michigan going to support Michigan companies?" when they pay a big enough "participation fee"?
don u
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 7:17 p.m.
When is the University of Michigan going to support Michigan companies? The Architect on this job is from North Carolina. Just like the Basketball Player Development Center they cannot seem to use local companies (That company is not even from the USA). Seems odd when a Public University that gets the State of Michigan taxpayers monies and support to operate spends that money outside the state and country. Shouldn't they support their local economy?