The Dunedin City Council has agreed to buy a building to be constructed at 138-156 King Edward St, the site of the old Wolfenden and Russell building, as the home for the new South Dunedin Library and Community Complex.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said the project was a "win-win".
"As well as providing a library and DCC service centre, the new complex will also provide space for community use including meeting rooms, creative and IT learning spaces, plus a recording studio.
"It will have a wide range of uses and I’m sure it will appeal to a wide range of people."
Mr Radich said the project had been "mucking around for several years".
"There was a lot of procrastination.
"This site ticks all the boxes and actually brings more vibrancy to South Dunedin, and leaves it open for further developments."
He said the project — estimated to cost $21.4 million — should take 18 months to complete and he expected "machinery to be on the ground in the next three months".
The council had originally planned to build the new library and community complex on a site it bought at 278 King Edward St.
Instead, the council worked with local property investor and owner of 138-156 King Edward St, Positive Property Ltd (PPL) on a proposal to build the new complex there.
The company bought the site after a fire in 2020 destroyed the Wolfenden and Russell premises.
PPL director Justin Stott said the timing was right.
"It’s come during a period of revitalisation for South Dunedin," Mr Stott said.
PPL will build a two-storeyed building to a shell stage, and the DCC will then complete the fit-out.
