In 2007, negotiations began between the City of London, Ontario and Fanshawe College to offer a significant amount of financial incentive to purchase and retrofit heritage buildings in the core. Fanshawe College agreed to bring 1,000 students into the downtown and phase one resulted in a retrofitted building on Main Street. The college also purchased a second building, but lacked funding to complete the move. The BIA stepped in to fundraise on their behalf and meet the university halfway.
