It was news to the owner, but a Cromwell Mall property was offered to the district's community board yesterday for possible demolition as part of a real estate swap.
The property - 65 The Mall - is on the market.
Ian Begg, on behalf of SGB Ltd suggested his company buy the building conditionally, and exchange it with the Central Otago District Council for ''suitable'' land owned by the council.
Mr Begg said when the building was vacant, the council could then demolish it and include the space as part of the town centre redevelopment.
His proposal was discussed at the Cromwell Community Board meeting yesterday.
''The owner of the building knows nothing about this,'' Mr Begg told the board.
He said it was an ''odd-ball'' two-storeyed building, ''ugly and out of place in a newly developing 21st century environment''.
If cleared, the site would be an asset as part of The Mall redevelopment.
It would also stop pedestrians getting ''lost or trapped'' in Lode Lane.
''The council has done a great job in getting people to The Mall but not into The Mall, '' Mr Begg said.
The refurbished entrances to The Mall were great but its heart still needed upgrading.
''It's a dead heart and needs livening up.''
Board member Nigel McKinlay said although some stages of the redevelopment were yet to be completed, it was difficult to look at the proposal now, as there were too many variables. His fellow board member, Tom Pinckney was concerned the swap might set a precedent.
Acting board chairwoman, Helen Hucklebridge said the timing of the offer was unfortunate.
''It might have been a more favourable process if we'd been approached earlier,'' she said.
Board member Glen Christiansen also wondered whether it was too late to consider the offer but said he ''wouldn't disregard it''.
The council's property and facilities officer Christina Martin and infrastructure services manager Jon Kingsford recommended the board shelve the offer.
The town centre redevelopment plans were adopted after public forums and consultation, they said.
The board decided to consider the offer as an access point when the design of the upgrade to the western entrance and middle area of The Mall was being finalised.
On the council's rates roll, the building has a capital value of $460,000 and land value of $133,000.
