The University of Michigan Health has purchased the site of the former Kmart headquarters in Troy with plans for a multi-specialty facility.
The location at the northwest corner of Big Beaver and Coolidge Highway has sat vacant since 2006 and demolition started late last year on the property.
Watch an archive video from our coverage of the Kmart bankruptcy below
The University of Michigan Board of Regents has to approve the purchase of the 7.28 acres of the site.
According to the university, the multi-specialty facility is part of a plan to expand specialty clinical services and increase patient access in Oakland County and Southeast Michigan.
“We are thrilled to announce our plans for a long term presence and commitment to patients in Oakland County, in keeping with our efforts to create a statewide network of care that allows Michiganders the ability to receive our world class care close to home,” Dr. Marschall S. Runge, the CEO of Michigan Medicine, said in a statement.“We are planning development of a facility that focuses on advanced specialty and diagnostic services. This is a starting point for a broader and deeper U-M Health presence in southeast Michigan.”
See video of the demolition progress below
Dr. David Miller, the president of U-M Health, the clinical division of Michigan Medicine, said they are excited to move into a prominent location in Troy.
“We believe this new investment will bring our U-M Health expertise to a whole new community of patients, providing easier access for metro Detroit residents to our nationally renowned clinical expertise and innovation,” Miller said in a statement.
Kathy Osip, a Troy resident told 7 Action News, "I hated looking at that Kmart place because I used to teach around that area, and I'd go by there all the time and I thought, 'when are they going to do something with that?'"
She said, "(I'm) very excited about it because for me to go from here to Ann Arbor to use their medical services it's way too far. So, if I could be using something here it would be wonderful."
Doug Boehmer, a Metro Detroiter said of the news, "Oh, I think it's great. Why not? Ya know, it's standing fallow and it should be used and I think healthcare is as good as any purpose for anything."
VIDEO: Watch Michigan Medicine leaders talk about the new project:
