U of M Plans $38M Depression Center

ANN ARBOR, MI-A 106,500-sf clinical facility is being built at the University of Michiganfor the college’s Health System, a collection of well-respected hospitalsand doctors that are distributed throughout Ann Arbor.

The U of M University of Regents agreed Thursday to a $38 million buildingproject to create the Depression Center. The clinic will also feature anambulatory psychiatry facility.

University health officials said the new center will expand the treatment,research and education needed to counteract depressive illnesses in theUnited States.

The three-level facility will include 54,200-sf dedicated to outpatientresearch projects, 54,200-sf for adult and child clinics and patient consultrooms and 12,300-sf for building support.It will connect to the southwest side of the existing U of M East Ann ArborHealth Center on Plymouth Road. Also, 440 new parking spaces will be added.

The new facility will be funded in part by $12.5 million in gifts to thecenter. College researchers have submitted a federal National Institute ofHealth grant request to aid funding of research components.

Dr. John Greden of the health center said the new building will be one ofthe best weapons to counteract the remaining stigma surrounding depressiveillnesses and related disorders.

Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2004, and set to open forpatient use in 2006. Albert Kahn Associates of Detroit was selected as thearchitect.