University seeks input for new downtown campuses

The University of Windsor is asking for public input after it showed off plans to set up campuses in the city's core at an open house on Thursday.

The university will overhaul the Armouries, the old Greyhound bus terminal and the Windsor Star building, bringing thousands of students downtown.

Sue Mark, director of facilities for the university, said feedback from people who live downtown is important.

"We've got mechanisms for them to do that through our website or verbally or written documentation," said Mark. "We take that feedback, and the architects will use it and see where they can redevelop things."

University of Windsor president Alan Wildeman said he's excited to get started.

"It's going to mean we're going to have some great new facilities for our students. It's going to mean a very significant shift in the overall activity in the downtown," said Wildeman. "There's been a lot of enthusiasm about this, and we've been talking about it for awhile. Now that we're starting to show people more about what some of the plans are, there's a lot of excitement about it."

Construction is expected to start early next year and be completed in 2014.