Councillor Crichton Christie said the community has certainly spoken by raising the $21.7m.
"I've never heard of that sort of figure in New Zealand, ever."
Councillor Tricia Cutforth, who has been a vocal opponent of the project, said the "community has been incredibly divided over this issue" and the division and concerns do remain. However she said she accepted the money had been raised.
Prosper Northland Trust (PNT) chairman Barry Trass said it was "a whole different mood than what it has been" at previous council meetings, with councillors now choosing to look forward, rather than backward.
Council meetings on the issue in the past had been heated, with debate between councillors robust.
"The next step is to finalise the engineering and plans and put it out for tender."
Mr Trass said they are hoping to start work on the foundations by Christmas. He said the work is expected to take two and half years, so they are targeting a mid-2020 completion date.
He said it will "most definitely" be ready for when the influx of visitors come to New Zealand for the America's Cup.
"It's fantastic, a lot of stars are aligning. It adds more potential to visitor numbers."
Mr Trass said PNT also need to start thinking about how to promote the centre nationally and internationally.
The stub road next to the old Northland Regional Council building will be closed to enable construction of the Hundertwasser building. A footpath will be built across this part of the intersection and the lights removed.
Consent to close this road was given by the council roading manager in November 2012.