Fanshawe expansion sparks possible changes to downtown
In September of 2014, the City of
London granted $9 million to Fanshawe
College to expand its downtown
campus, and the ripple effects
of this are beginning to appear.
The decision was controversial, but eventually an 8-7 vote in favour of the project was announced by city council as reported by the London Free Press (LFP) on Sept. 3.
The project is a $66 million expansion of the former Kingsmill department store on Dundas Street that will transform it into a campus, bringing in almost 2,000 students as the LFP reports.
The project is not complete yet, but businesses in downtown London are already paying attention.
Peter Mullins, a realtor in London, said that businesses are interested in relocating into the downtown area.
“The people I show spaces to seem really positive that downtown is where they want to be,” he said.
Mullins said the revitalization of Fanshawe into the downtown core reminded him of a debate that occurred when Budweiser Gardens was being built in 2001. He said the man in charge of planning, Vic Cote, did not want to build enough parking on stadium grounds for the full amount of guests. Instead Cote wanted visitors to park downtown and walk the rest of the way to the centre. Mullins said the wisdom of that decision is being seen years later.
“He wanted people to walk around downtown, to force them to reacquaint themselves with the area,” Mullins said.
Mullins said the decision to bring Fanshawe into downtown will have the same effect.
“Having students around creates an upswing and buzz,” Mullins said. “The more people who live downtown, the more people who feel like they own the streets. If they aren’t a part of it they leave and move on.”
Elaine Gamble, a spokesperson for Fanshawe, said the Kingsmill expansion is positive for both Fanshawe and downtown London.
“Downtown loves having our students right in the core,” Gamble said, adding that they’ve already seen a number of businesses open up on Dundas Street to prepare. “It’s going to have a terrific impact on downtown.”
The downtown Fanshawe campus will likely spark the growth of apartment towers to accommodate the influx of students according to Mullins. Gamble adds that the addition of 2,000 students to downtown will “liven up” the city and will no doubt spark the revitalization and vibrancy of the downtown core that city council wants.
The old Kingsmill building will be the new home of Fanshawe’s School of Information Technology and will eventually also house the School of Tourism and Hospitality. Construction will be completed in 2017.
The decision was controversial, but eventually an 8-7 vote in favour of the project was announced by city council as reported by the London Free Press (LFP) on Sept. 3.
The project is a $66 million expansion of the former Kingsmill department store on Dundas Street that will transform it into a campus, bringing in almost 2,000 students as the LFP reports.
The project is not complete yet, but businesses in downtown London are already paying attention.
Peter Mullins, a realtor in London, said that businesses are interested in relocating into the downtown area.
“The people I show spaces to seem really positive that downtown is where they want to be,” he said.
Mullins said the revitalization of Fanshawe into the downtown core reminded him of a debate that occurred when Budweiser Gardens was being built in 2001. He said the man in charge of planning, Vic Cote, did not want to build enough parking on stadium grounds for the full amount of guests. Instead Cote wanted visitors to park downtown and walk the rest of the way to the centre. Mullins said the wisdom of that decision is being seen years later.
“He wanted people to walk around downtown, to force them to reacquaint themselves with the area,” Mullins said.
Mullins said the decision to bring Fanshawe into downtown will have the same effect.
“Having students around creates an upswing and buzz,” Mullins said. “The more people who live downtown, the more people who feel like they own the streets. If they aren’t a part of it they leave and move on.”
Elaine Gamble, a spokesperson for Fanshawe, said the Kingsmill expansion is positive for both Fanshawe and downtown London.
“Downtown loves having our students right in the core,” Gamble said, adding that they’ve already seen a number of businesses open up on Dundas Street to prepare. “It’s going to have a terrific impact on downtown.”
The downtown Fanshawe campus will likely spark the growth of apartment towers to accommodate the influx of students according to Mullins. Gamble adds that the addition of 2,000 students to downtown will “liven up” the city and will no doubt spark the revitalization and vibrancy of the downtown core that city council wants.
The old Kingsmill building will be the new home of Fanshawe’s School of Information Technology and will eventually also house the School of Tourism and Hospitality. Construction will be completed in 2017.
