University of Michigan Health acquires former Kmart headquarters property, according to The Oakland Press

The University of Michigan Health has announced plans to purchase 7.28 acres of vacant land at the former Kmart Corp. headquarters in Troy, Michigan. The university intends to build a multi-specialty facility on the property in order to expand clinical services and increase patient access in Oakland County. The parcel at 3100 W. Big Beaver at Coolidge Highway will be purchased for $4.42 million from Forbes/Frankel Troy Ventures LLC.

Dr. Marschall Runge, CEO of Michigan Medicine, expressed excitement about the university’s plans to establish a long-term presence in Oakland County and provide world-class care close to home for Michiganders. The new facility will focus on advanced specialty and diagnostic services as part of a broader effort to expand U of M Health’s presence in southeast Michigan. Dr. David Miller, president of U-M Health, highlighted that the center will include a clinical program for multidisciplinary cancer care.

The building will adhere to university guidelines for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in order to minimize environmental impacts. The former Kmart Corp. headquarters, which opened in the early 1970s, has been vacant since 2006 when Kmart merged with Sears Holdings Corp. and moved operations to the Sears headquarters in suburban Chicago. Demolition of the building and parking structure began last year, with Forbes/Frankel Troy Ventures funding the demolition costs. Windows on the rear of the headquarters were boarded up in preparation for demolition to commence.