The Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) -- Michigan State University has proposed building an urban agriculture research center in Detroit that could grow into a $100 million project covering 100 acres.

Rick Foster, director of the East Lansing school's Greening Michigan Institute, says an aim would be to make Detroit a center of research devoted to growing food inside cities. Details of the project, which would start below 10 acres, were reported recently by the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News.

The research center also would be part of an effort to improve access to fresh food in urban areas and put vacant urban land to use for growing food.

A draft of the plan recently was given to Detroit officials. The city says the proposal has potential but would be a long way from approval.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.