Dawson Court to become student housing

A former home for the aged in Thunder Bay, Ont., will have some much younger tenants come September.

Ahsanul Habib purchased the former Dawson Court on North Algoma Streetfor just under half a million dollars. The purchase was ratified by Thunder Bay city council on Monday.

Habib plans to convert the building into a student housing complex, he said.

"There's a lot of international students coming in," he added.

"Students from outside Thunder Bay [are] looking for a good place to live. Andthen there's the college. Plus Aboriginals need a good secure place to live in Thunder Bay."

The secure building would have kitchenettesand a dedicated wing for Indigenous students, Habib said.

A shuttle service would be set up so students would have reliable transportation to Lakehead University, Confederation College and Dennis Franklin CromartyHigh School, he added.

"Some repairs, painting, cleaning, some alterations to the washrooms and shower area we're going to add kitchenettes and kitchen areas to each pod," he said.

Habibwants to do more work to the building at a later date, whichcould accommodate an additional 40 students.

That work includesbuilding more rooms andconverting existing space to individual rooms, while also making improvements to the building's appearance.

The secure building would have staff on-siteto assist students, Habib said, adding, "We have to work out the details, but our intention is to have a supervised student centre to enhance their education first, and safety."

Other projects ongoing

Habib owns a number of properties that he has purchased from public groups, including the city and Lakehead Public Schools.

The Royal Edward Arms building on May Streetwas purchased by Habib in 2015.

That sale included a commitment to 'substantially renovate' the building, which was sold for $500,000.

Habibsaid the building will be converted back into a hotel, after being used for decades as an apartment building.

He told CBC News that a hotel franchise is in place, and he is awaiting confirmation of financing.