The Dunedin City Council appears set to request proposals for what should be done with 231 Stuart St and it has signalled it is interested in a raft of ideas.
Those could range from commercial ventures, such as a restaurant or apartments, to community initiatives, like a youth hub.
A covenant might also be placed on the title in an effort to prevent subsequent owners of the heritage building from allowing it to fall into disrepair.
Any new owner would need to source significant funds to get the building ready to be used, the council was told.
The council voted 12-3 yesterday to prepare the property for sale.
Council property group manager Anna Nilsen said this did not preclude possibilities such as selling it for $1 to a group that might fundraise to make building improvements.
Councillors would assess any options that emerged before making a final call.
The building opened in 1870 as the Trinity Methodist Church and it is listed by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as a category 1 historic place.
The professional Fortune Theatre company was based there for 40 years, but closed in 2018, citing financial difficulties, and the building has since been vacant.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said a new owner could get good value.
"There is a commercial proposition for this," he said.
Cr Brent Weatherall said selling the property could open the door to the building getting "the love it deserves".
However, Cr Sophie Barker, who voted against preparing the property for sale, said councillors seemed hopeful a knight in shining armour would save the building.
"But that’s a bit like waiting for Santa, and believing in Santa, perhaps."
She was unconvinced protection measures would work.
"I can’t agree to sell it until we’ve had more ideas and more discussion."
The two other councillors who voted against — Lee Vandervis and Kevin Gilbert — both mentioned apparent interest in the site from council company Dunedin Venues, although this seemed to rely on it being in working order.
Asked by the ODT about this, Dunedin Venues chief executive Paul Doorn said the company was always open to exploring opportunities where managing a venue might deliver operational efficiencies or align with its portfolio.
"Should an operational venue arise that meets these criteria, we would assess its potential accordingly," he said.
Cr Gilbert asked at the meeting if selling the building, but retaining the land, had been considered.
It had not been, so far.
Cr Christine Garey noted calls to ringfence any sale proceeds for performing arts had been a prominent theme in submissions for the council’s 2025-34 long-term plan.
She asked if this would be covered when sale options came back and council chief executive Sandy Graham said she would have to check how it might align with the council’s financial strategy.
Crs Steve Walker and Carmen Houlahan felt the site was not suitable for professional theatre any more and it was time to look at other opportunities.
Deputy mayor Cherry Lucas said the building would deteriorate while it remained vacant and the council could not afford to restore it to its former glory.
"By passing this resolution, it gives us options to see what comes out of the woodwork from our community."
