Chair of DWBIA likes the Paul Martin Building plans

Plans for the historic Paul Martin Sr. Building are getting a thumbs up from the chair of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association.

Larry Horwitz says the possibility that Windsor University may move its law school into the downtown is one of the best things that could happen to core.

Horwitz cited cities such as Toronto, London, and Chicago as examples where universities are major players in the core.

Mayor Drew Dilkens says a new law school would bring about 450 students into the downtown core but it's not a done deal just yet.

"The City of Windsor is committed to see this project happen. We committed to facilitate the transfer of the building and we are willing to put money on the table to help move the school into the downtown," he says.

University of Windsor President Alan Wildeman says the city has already made great strides in relocating the law school to the downtown core.

"The city has offered to contribute $15 million towards that project, which is really huge and we are extremely grateful," Wildeman says.

The federal goverment announced Saturday that it will sell the Paul Martin Sr. Building to the city for one dollar.

The government recently spent $6-million to restore the building's facade. The building has been surrounded by scaffolding since 2009 to protect people from falling limestone.

Once that's complete, Wildeman says the city and university can move forward with transforming the facility, with the pricetag shared by the two.