Dr Mark Smith, who took over the role at the trust about four months ago, said the newly launched Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust Legacy Building Fund was an ongoing effort to raise funds for the trust and would help to restore ''the architect's original vision'' for trust-owned buildings and prepare the buildings to ''pay their own way''.
Foyers, or vestibules, for example, could be added to buildings to help make them more comfortable in the colder months, he said.
''Originally they were warehouses - with beautiful facades. What is needed now is to get them to a point where a lot of them can become retail spaces,'' Dr Smith said.
He noted the restoration work done on the Criterion Hotel, which made the building the standard-bearer for the precinct.
Work would be required on the former Neill Brothers' Store in Harbour St which will become home to the joint tourism venture of Tourism Waitaki and the trust, Dr Smith said.
The money raised through the annual contribution scheme would also be used for restoring facades, making the buildings weather-tight, and roofing work.
Money not been been set aside previously, he said.
''I think the trust is ready to take its mission to the next level. Outside of this town people are aware of us, maybe for the first time in a long time.''
