The University of Windsor has decided to build a two-storey, 40,800-square-foot Innovation Centre and a seven-level parking garage with 1,055 spaces at its campus along Wyandotte Street.

Construction on the $25.8-million project is set to begin in early 2012. The work will be completed during the summer of 2013.

Newton Parking Structures Ltd. of Guelph has been selected to build the structures.

The project consists of two separate buildings that are connected by a second-storey pedestrian bridge from the Innovation Centre to the parking structure.

The Innovation Centre will feature a 22,600-square-foot first floor and a 16,800-square-foot second floor.

The parking garage will be 295,000 square feet. Pre-cast decking will be assembled on site to speed up construction.

One of the features of the parking structure will be the use of wide-open space.

University president and vice-chancellor Dr. Alan Wildeman said the project will strengthen the presence of the school and add much-needed parking space.

“It will also enable us to consolidate much of the parking on campus onto a significantly reduced footprint, and create opportunities to add more green space and provide land for future capital development.”

Founded in 1963, the university has close to 16,000 full- and part-time students.