Board of Trustees approves construction of Grand Rapids Research Center

February 6, 2015

The Michigan State University Board of Trustees authorized the administration to expand the university's research capabilities in Grand Rapids by constructing a biomedical research facility on the site of the former Grand Rapids Press building.

The Board of Trustees resolution for the project entitled “Grand Rapids – Real Estate and Research Facility Development” included a budget of $85.1 million for a new building on the northeast corner of Monroe Avenue and Michigan Street in downtown Grand Rapids. The combined budget, along with demolition of the Grand Rapids Press building, was approved by the board in December 2014, is $88.1 million.

The project involves construction of about a 160,000-square-foot, multistory research building. MSU will follow its traditional, university-financed model for delivery of the highly specialized biomedical research center as opposed to a developer-financed delivery option.

The research building will occupy about half of the parcel, offering the university future opportunities to engage other public-private developers in discussions about complementary projects that could further enhance MSU’s vision for medical education and commercialization of science.

The project delivery team for the research center includes a joint venture between Clark Construction Company of Lansing and Rockford Construction of Grand Rapids, both serving as construction managers; SmithGroupJJR of Detroit, acting as engineering and architect of record; and Ellenzweig of Cambridge, Mass., serving as laboratory planner and design architect.

Demolition of the former Grand Rapids Press building is scheduled to begin this March with construction following.

The new Biomedical Research Center is planned to open late 2017.