Members of a working group considering the future of the Municipal Building in Hastings are off to the South Island next week to look at the way other cities and towns have consulted with their communities and developed similar spaces.
The Municipal Building, which neighbours the Hawke's Bay Opera House, was once the local council buildings and had since been used for functions and other activities.
The Opera House itself was closed in 2014 after engineers found two of the walls of the theatre could collapse during an earthquake.
After public consultation last year, feedback indicated the community wanted the earthquake strengthening to take place, for a permanent roof to be put on the plaza next to it, and for discussions to be held on how to develop the Municipal Building.
Physical work was set to start on earthquake strengthening the Opera House in August this year, and the process for replaing the plaza roof among other improvements was due to be confirmed this May.