It was confirmed today the council had purchased the building for $128,000, in an unconditional deal, and would take possession on February 10.
Council community and culture committee chairman Cr Aaron Hawkins said the venue had played a "huge role'' in Dunedin's social and cultural history, " so it's exciting for our community to be able to start thinking about its future''.
"Some of the best live shows I've ever seen were at Sammy's, and it's still one of the most beautiful venues in the country.
"It would've been an absolute travesty had it been sold and bowled, but now it's safe for another generation of artists and audiences to enjoy.''
The deal meant the the council would own the building and not the leasehold land, but it now had a "great relationship'' with the site owner, Oakwood Properties.
The council had secured a rent holiday for two years while the building's future was considered in consultation with the community, he said.
A report containing options for the building's future use would be considered by Easter, including "ways to involve the arts and business communities'', he said.
"The development of the building is likely to be a partnership venture.''
Cr Hawkins said the council usually supported private property owners to retain and redevelop heritage buildings, "but in this case the building was significant enough to warrant DCC investment''.
The deal could also pave the way for the next phase of redevelopment within the warehouse precinct, as the building would be a key feature as attention shifted towards the Jetty St overbridge and over to Bond St, he said.
Details of the deal came after it was reported last week the 121-year-old building, formerly Her Majesty's Theatre, later His Majesty's Theatre and then Sammy's, had been sold to an unnamed buyer after being placed on the market in October.
The decision to sell came after the venue was stripped of its liquor licence last year, after the Dunedin District Licensing Committee concluded former owner Sam Chin was "unsuitable to hold an on-licence'' after a string of transgressions.
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Comments
What conflict of interest? DCC opposes the liquor licence for Sammys, the venue has to close costing the owner x amount of money and DCC buys the property at the resultant fire sale.
I can hear the explanations now, but part a of DCC didn't know what part B was doing it is all just coincidence. Even Ms Marple doesn't believe in coincidence.
What next, on sale or lease of the venue with a readily approved liquor licence?
Yep Keith, Something doesn't add up. it was listed for $240000, Iconic Dunedin entertainment venue Sammy's sold to mystery buyer unknown amount. no way would it be sold for $128,000 or less, Council buy it for $128,000, in an unconditional deal. At a guess a back room deal has been done. There is a lot that doesn't add up in Dunedin and council.
Why? It's an ugly, outdated building that has had real problems with fire risk compliance over the years. Why is ratepayers' money being spent on non-essential items like this? There will be core work the council could be doing with the $128,000 plus ongoing costs of owning and upgrading this building - I don't believe this is warranted spending at all.
@Dakota , The fire compliance issues were caused by lease's and owners doing things like locking and blocking fire exit's etc , not because it was a dated building.