A submitter behind a proposal to develop the former Northland Regional Council building has come out in support of an opposition bid.
Peter King, of Underwood King, is behind one of four proposals the Whangarei District Council is considering.
However, Mr King says he now prefers the Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Arts Centre to his own submission.
He and business partner Gary Underwood would not have contributed their idea if they thought there had been any possibility that funding for a new Hundertwasser proposal could be found, he said.
Having learned more about Prosper Northland's revamped proposal, which proposes raising $10 million privately with no ratepayer-funded grants, Mr King is backing the Prosper bid.
Mr King said his suggestion was a concept only. With no ratepayer cost, Mr King believed the majority of people earlier opposed to a Hundertwasser building would now favour it.
"So much of the negative commentary was the potential burden on the ratepayer. That has gone now," he said.
Two other proposals are under consideration - an Arts Maritime Play (AMP) proposal plans to exploit the site's location, maritime heritage and local relevance.
It would be known as the Voyaging and Visual Arts Centre and create multipurpose spaces inside and outside, some commercially operated, reaching along and even into the Hatea River and into the city.
A Harbourside proposal - whose backers include former councillor Wally Yovich - is full of "firsts" and would house Whangarei Art Museum, freeing up that building for other public use.
It will support the development of the Hihiaua Cultural Centre to provide an authentic sense of place in the precinct.
The building and surrounds will host and collaborate with a number of creative disciplines, including music, writing, film and digital.
It could be open in 15 months and will feature extensive landscaping, including a slope down to the river, visual connections, and an area suitable for Christmas in the Park and other outdoor events.