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Local leaders were expressing disappointment and frustration Friday as word got out that the University of Windsor has given up on creating a new law school inside downtown Windsor’s iconic Paul Martin Building.

“We’ve made the decision that the Paul Martin Building is not an option,” university president Alan Wildeman told the Star Friday.

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The decision, communicated earlier this month to the municipality, province and federal government, came after more than five years of intensive lobbying by the city and the university.

“I can’t recall how many trips I’ve made to Toronto” to try and make the downtown deal happen, Wildeman said. “We have to turn our attention to other options now,” he added.

“No one’s to blame,” he emphasized.

But others were quick to point fingers and identify the province as the culprit.

“Two out of three levels of government were willing to do their part — the province didn’t do its part,” said MPP Lisa Gretzky (NDP—Windsor West). “It’s a huge hit, very disappointing.”