The Meadowbrook Housing project in east Windsor is moving forward.
At a special city council meeting on Monday, council heard the project is slated to begin next month and will take two years to complete.
The estimated $38.7-million project is a 10 storey-housing complex that will include 145 units, with 76 of those units considered affordable housing.
Ward 8 Councillor Gary Kaschak says it's an important project for the city and it's needed.
"We haven't had a public housing or community housing build in over 30-years so the fact that we can get this built in my ward but even more importantly for Windsor, I think it's fantastic," says Kaschak.
He recognizes the $38.7-million price tag and says the estimated cost of the project has come in higher than expected.
"The beauty of this one is we're doing the passive housing project, so it's a little more expensive on construction but you'll save all kinds of money on the back end on energy costs, on hydro and electricity, water, etc," says Kaschak. "So it's one of those, pay a little bit more now but get much more efficiencies and benefits in the long term."
When the project was first approved, Kaschak says it was slated to include 150 units but the plan was adjusted to include more community areas.
"There's a little bit more room for accessibility as well which is really important," says Kaschak. "So the ratio, I think between market rate accommodations and affordable is terrific and it's one of those things we haven't had in Windsor in a long time."
The project was first approved in July 2018 and at that time, the estimated cost of the project was between $16-million and $39-million.
The city is working with upper levels of government on the project at 3100 Meadowbroke Ln. along with the Windsor-Essex Community Housing Corporation and other community groups.