Forum North could be set for an upgrade with a $20 million budget - one of two projects that could significantly change the face of inner-city Whangarei.
The other is NorthTec's new education precinct. The Northern Advocate understands NorthTec is considering the old Toyota site on Carruth St, and is also looking for sites suitable for inner-city student accommodation.
Whangarei District Council's chief executive Rob Forlong emphasised the council's plans were not a done deal and that several options were still in play to consolidate WDC staff into one site, as well as build a new theatre for the city.
WDC 20/20 committee chairman Phil Halse said getting the council's 350 staff under one roof had been under discussion for more than seven years, with council budgeting $10.3 million for office consolidation in its Long Term Plan (LTP).
A full investigation into expanding the Forum North premises, owned by council, was under way with the results expected by the end of June. One office would eliminate duplication and the time wasted by staff travelling between offices. It would also reduce rent as the council did not own Walton Plaza and Civic Arcade, which contained a combined 190 workers, compared with 120 at Forum North and 40-plus at other sites.