The University of Michigan's plans for a new high-performance computing facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory in Ypsilanti Township are in flux, with the future of the project hanging in the balance. The university's regent, Paul Brown, has announced that the Textile Road location is 'dead' as a potential site, leaving just one option: the Willow Run site. However, this decision is far from final, with Brown admitting that the university is not yet close to making a choice. The $1.2 billion project, announced in December 2024, is now in question due to various factors, including local opposition, environmental concerns, and financial pressures on the American Center for Mobility (ACM) at Willow Run.
The ACM site, once a World War II-era bomber plant, has faced financial troubles, with the state demanding repayment of at least $35 million in grants and loans. This has led to leadership changes and concerns about the site's long-term viability. The university is considering acquiring the site, but several factors complicate this decision. The Willow Run location has environmental issues, with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) issuing multiple environmental violation notices since 2016. The site's proximity to the West Willow neighborhood, which has high pollution exposure, adds to the complexity.
The Textile Road location, near residential neighborhoods and a public elementary school, also faces challenges. A year-long moratorium on water supply from the Ypsilanti Community Utility Authority (YCUA) could impact the project's plans, and local opposition to the Willow Run site raises questions about environmental racism. Brown acknowledges these concerns, emphasizing the need to consider the community's wishes and avoid environmental injustice.
The future of the project remains uncertain, with the university's due diligence on the sites and the laboratory's classified nature adding layers of complexity. The decision will have significant implications for the university, the community, and the environment, making it a crucial and controversial issue in Ypsilanti Township.
