Fanshawe College is finalizing the purchase of the former Kingsmill's building on Dundas St.
The college has been granted $9-million from the city to bring the Information Technology and School of Tourism and Hospitality to the downtown core.
"We know that a London Downtown Campus is going to have a significant positive impact on the downtown with the energy of 2,000 students," says Fanshawe College President Peter Devlin.
Fanshawe notes it is close to issuing a Request For Proposals for the design phase. It is expected the transformation of the historic building into a college campus will cost about $66.2-million.
The city's contribution will be spread over the next 10 years. The college had initially asked for $10-million but was denied. After the Downtown Businesses Improvement Association rallied to raise $1-million the college returned to council and was granted the $9-million, after much debate and criticism.
The plan is to renovate the old Kingsmill's building by adding four stories to the existing structure.
