Saginaw, MI – The ambitious Saginaw Medical Diamond project, which aims to bring Central Michigan University’s (CMU) medical school to downtown Saginaw, is facing significant financial scrutiny. Initially budgeted at a seemingly optimistic figure, the current cost projections have skyrocketed to nearly $500 million¹². This staggering increase has raised serious concerns about the feasibility of the project and the potential financial burden on taxpayers.

The Medical Diamond project, envisioned as a state-of-the-art medical education hub, is intended to consolidate CMU’s medical programs in Saginaw. Currently, first- and second-year medical students are based on CMU’s Mount Pleasant campus, while third- and fourth-year students complete their clinical training in Saginaw¹². The move aims to enhance the educational experience by providing more integrated and comprehensive training opportunities.

However, the financial reality of this grand vision is proving to be a major hurdle. With costs now expected to approach half a billion dollars, there is growing skepticism about where the funding will come from. Critics argue that there is no clear plan to cover these expenses, and there is a looming fear that taxpayers might be left to foot the bill¹².

Adding to the controversy is the fact that CMU did not fully fund its current medical school in Mount Pleasant. A significant portion of the funding came from Dow grants, which were instrumental in establishing the school¹². The current discussion to relocate the medical school to Saginaw raises questions about the potential waste of the substantial donations that were used to build the existing facilities in Mount Pleasant.

The financial concerns are further amplified by the recent Saginaw United High School project. Initially budgeted at $30 million, the high school ended up costing close to $125 million³. This project, which is only one-eighth the size of the proposed Medical Diamond, serves as a cautionary tale about underestimating costs and the potential for budget overruns³.

Local governments have already secured over $30 million in state funding to support the necessary infrastructure for the Medical Diamond project¹². However, this amount pales in comparison to the newly estimated costs, leaving a massive funding gap. The community is left wondering whether this ambitious project is a prudent investment or a financial misstep.

As the debate continues, the hope is that a viable solution will be found that does not place an undue burden on taxpayers. The Saginaw Medical Diamond project holds great promise for advancing medical education and healthcare in the region, but its success hinges on finding a sustainable and responsible way to fund it.

For now, the future of the project remains uncertain, and the community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that balances ambition with fiscal responsibility.

¹: Central Michigan University News ²: The Oakland Press ³: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy