U of W plots downtown housing project

The University of Winnipeg is mulling over the idea of building a housing complex near its campus in the city's downtown.

UWinnipeg spokesman Dan Hurley said the proposal calls for the construction of 80-100 suites of two to three bedrooms each. The building would be placed adjacent to the Buhler Centre at Portage Avenue and Colony Street.

The estimated cost to build the residence would be about $15 million, Hurley said.

The residence would not just be for students, but would also accommodate family or community housing. It would be a similar approach to the university's other downtown housing complex dubbed McFeetors Hall.

The demand for affordable downtown homes is growing, Hurley suggested. There is currently a waiting list to get a family-housing spot at McFeetors Hall.

"We were swamped with five times the applications we could meet and were basically filled within an afternoon," he said.

Hurley stressed the university has not made a final decision on whether it will go ahead with the construction.