The council stepped in to secure the Crawford St building earlier this year, after concerns were raised the former His Majesty's Theatre might be sold and demolished.
It bought the building leasehold for $128,000, and landowner Oakwood Properties has granted council a two-year rent holiday while future uses for the building are considered.
The council's community and culture committee yesterday voted unanimously for council to retain the leasehold on the building and progress options for redevelopment of the property.
While its final use is yet to be determined, results of public consultation over the future of Sammy's released at yesterday's meeting showed the community was strongly in favour of the building being retained as a performance space.
Of 201 respondents 87% supported retaining the building for future use, with suggestions including a performing arts centre, a concert venue, and an arts and culture space.
Councillors were yesterday asked to consider progressing redevelopment options, transferring ownership to a third party, or awaiting third party proposals for further use.
They were unanimous on the council moving to secure Sammy's future, but several emphasised the difficulties ahead, which included earthquake strengthening work on the 121-year-old building, improving fire safety, and either restoring or creating a new facade for the building.
Cr Chris Staynes strongly supported the proposal, and said redevelopment as a performance venue was entirely in keeping with the original vision for the warehouse district as a home for Dunedin's creative sector.
Cr Lee Vandervis supported the proposal, but expressed concerns that placing an appropriate facade on the building might be a difficult and potentially expensive stumbling block.
However, he hoped any future business plan for Sammy's would represent the importance of creating an appropriate facade for the building.
Cr David Benson-Pope praised council staff for their promptness in saving the building, and welcomed further discussion on its future.
"Where we are at the moment is the correct place for us to be.''
Cr Jim O'Malley supported the committee's decision, but noted a balance would have to be found between the proposed future use of the building and ``the appropriate council burden''.
Committee chairman Aaron Hawkins said councillors would receive more detail on budgetary implications later, but the city would be better off for the council having moved so quickly to ensure the building was not lost.
The council will now draft a business case and governance structure for Sammy's, including detailed costings and timeframes.
The community and culture committee will then consider the project's feasibility and affordability.
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Comments
Demolish the eyesore. The Council should concentrate on more important issues like providing better services. Rate payers money should not be used as a heritage fund. The Mayfair Theatre is in desperate need of modernising and restoration, I urge people to help fund that before spending huge amounts of money on new performing arts venues.
"Of 201 respondents 87% supported retaining the building for future use..." sigh, If I stood on the street corner asking 'who would like Free Ice Cream' but thinking someone else will have to front up with the needed money! I'm sure the same statistics would be found!!!!