Mayor Phil Mauger has taken another step towards meeting his election promise to restore the old Dux de Lux building.
Christchurch city councillors voted on Wednesday to financially back his motion to get staff to investigate redevelopment options for saving the earthquake-damaged building, which is owned by the Arts Centre Trust Board.
"I think everyone just wants to get it fixed, or repaired or restored one way or another. So if this is the catalyst that gets some action going good," Mauger said.
However, Linwood Ward city councillor Yani Johanson questioned why the decision has come so late in the process to finalise the city's Long Term Plan.
"What is the process around it?
"A consistent process so that ... those of us that have got other issues that we think are urgent and critical, how do we get the organisation to respond?"
Mauger wants the city council to buy or lease the derelict category 2 heritage building in the central city on the corner of Montreal and Hereford Sts.
However, city councillor Celeste Donovan voiced concerns about what other heritage work might get the chop if the council opts to put ratepayers' money towards the old Dux de Lux building.
The popular former bar, restaurant and music venue was a fixture of the city's Arts Centre for decades.
But it has been derelict since it was badly damaged in the 2011 quake.
The business was re-established under the name Dux Central in 2015 at a new location on Lichfield St.
A report on the council's options to support the Dux de Lux's $10 million restoration is expected to be presented to councillors within the next six weeks, before the 10-year Long Term Plan budget is finalised.
- By Geoff Sloan, made with the support of NZ On Air
