A major renovation project at the School of Dentistry will create a more welcoming, accessible facility with an improved patient entrance, modern teaching clinics and open, flexible research space.

The $122 million project was approved Thursday by the Board of Regents.

The project includes a deep renovation of 172,000 square feet of space in the W.K. Kellogg Institute and Dental Building, built in 1940 and 1969, respectively. An addition of 37,000 square feet will be included. The complex sits at the intersection of North University Avenue and Fletcher Street.

The renovation will address deferred maintenance including exterior work, life and safety, electrical, mechanical and plumbing system improvements. A new freight elevator and emergency power generator will be installed, according to a memo prepared by Kevin Hegarty, the university’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.

“Open, flexible research space will be created to support the school’s world-class research along with space designed to foster collaboration among faculty and students,” Hegarty says.

Also part of the project is a special-needs, inter-professional care clinic to treat patients with complex medical conditions and disabilities.

The project is supported, in part, by funding through the state’s Capital Outlay Budget. Once construction is authorized by the state Legislature, the state will provide about $30 million in financial support. The balance of the funding will be provided by Office of the Provost resources.

The architectural firm of SmithGroupJJR will design the project, which is expected to generate an average of 106 on-site construction jobs. Design will get underway immediately and the construction schedule will be determined as part of the design process.