Ground breaking for the Union at Dearborn.Dearborn, Mich. — The University of Michigan at Dearborn, one of two regional campuses of the University of Michigan, will open its first student housing in fall 2013 across the street from the main campus. The $30 million Union at Dearborn is being funded by Urban Campus Communities (UCC) and will be managed by Asset Campus Housing.

It will include housing for more than 500 students as well as space leased by the university for student life activities, including meeting rooms, student gathering spaces, group study rooms, offices for student organizations and a cabaret-style theater.

"Our students have expressed an interest in housing for many years, so we are pleased that this development allows students the opportunity of adjacent housing to enhance their university experience," said Daniel Little, chancellor, UM-Dearborn. "With the reduction of state funding and our commitment to minimizing tuition increases, this public-private collaboration will allow the university to continue to invest in its academic mission, while transforming the campus experience for all students.

UCC finalized the purchase of the property from Ford Land on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012. The development is privately owned and operated. It is not owned or operated by UM-Dearborn. The university was founded in 1959 with a gift of just over 200 acres of land and $6.5 million from the Ford Motor Company.