Close to 300 federal employees will remain in Windsor.
A vacant building owned by the federal government at 441 University Ave. W. near Bruce Ave. will undergo a $10.8-million renovation, according to the City's Chief Building Official John Revell.
Revell says the building will receive a complete overhaul, adding a new facade and space for a tenant in addition to the federal offices.
Mayor Drew Dilkens told AM800 News keeping federal jobs in Windsor is part of the deal that saw the city take over the Paul Martin Building on Ouellette Ave.
"One of the things that was always paramount in the discussion with us and the federal government, with respect to the Paul Martin Building, is that us buying that building would not lead to those employees vacating the city of Windsor," he says.
The move will honour the agreement and put an otherwise derelict building to use, according to Dilkens.
"It's great to see they're making that investment in the city of Windsor and that building they own and that those federal employees will be remaining in the city," he added.
Revell says construction could begin as early as next week — permits for the building netted the city north of $150,000.
The Paul Martin Building remains in limbo after the University of Windsor pulled out of a plan to relocate their law school — citing lack of financial support from the province and questions over building repairs.
Meanwhile, that has angered Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown. In a statement, the graduate of the University of Windsor's Faculty of Law says the "Wynne Liberals have mismanaged public funds."
Browns says says tax dollars have been spent on "giant ducks to celebrate Canada Day, or buying Canada Goose Jackets for staff." Rather than investing in a project that, "would have been a significant boost for both the university and the city of Windsor."