Colorado Mesa University is asking Grand Junction for millions.

At Wednesday’s city council meeting, university president Tim foster requested funding from the city to help construct a new building.

Funding from across the Grand Valley has gone into expanding CMU.

The University says it's growing fast and it needs help with upcoming construction costs.

There is a $17 million project in the works that will bring more classrooms to campus.

The university says because of continuous growth, a new building is desperately needed.

To complete the proposed building, CMU has requested a $7 million commitment from the city and $3 million from Mesa County. The university will cover the rest of the costs.

“Colorado Mesa University is a huge economic engine in this community,” Dana Nunn, with CMU, said. “We have worked in partnership with the city, with the county, and with the community as a whole. This would be a continuation of that partnership.”

CMU says it’s important to keep the new building affordable.

It hopes to have all the money committed by the end of this year.

If that plays out, construction will begin about six months later and the new classroom building should be open for the 2014 school year.

City council is now reviewing the university's plan but hasn't made a funding commitment yet.