ANN ARBOR - The wheels of construction are turning on Weill Hall, a new 80,000-square-foot building that will house the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

According to the University of Michigan, the five-story, $35 million building will house administration, classrooms, faculty offices, development, career services, student services, alumni and external relations and research functions.

Research programs include: the Ford Foundation Research and Training Program on Poverty and Public Policy; the Michigan Program on Poverty and Social Welfare Policy; the Center on Local, Sate and Urban Policy; and the Nonprofit and Public Management Center research centers.

The building, at the northeast corner of State and Hill streets, "will serve as a symbolic gateway to Central Campus," the university said.

Ford School Dean Rebecca Blank said at the groundbreaking, "With this building, you have given us our first true home. For nine decades, space has been our final frontier as we moved through the University in search of a place to call our own."

The building process is being managed by Clark Construction. Ground was broken in November 2004 and work is expected to be complete later this year.

Citgroup Inc. Chair Sanford Weill gave $5 million toward the new facility, which will feature classrooms, faculty offices, a library, research centers and conference space. A 1935 graduate, Ford served 25 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, became vice president in 1973 and was president from 1974-77. The Ann Arbor campus is home to his presidential library.

INSTALLING A SUPPLY duct run at the new Weill Hall is Ron Crafton of Sheet Metal Workers Local 80 and Applegate.

THE FIVE-STORY, $35 million Weill Hall under construction.