Brimbank council will spend $100,000 to develop its Keilor offices in a pitch to attract businesses to the site.
Works are due to start next June and be finished by April 2017 to convert the building into a mixed-use centre for community and private sector tenants.
The Keilor offices will be vacated in August next year with staff moving to the new Brimbank Community and Civic Centre at Sunshine.
The council is keen to support economic development in the area, as well as securing financial returns from its building.
A floor plan shows the redeveloped building will include a flexible community space, meeting places, a library and space for commercial and professional services.
The council has allocated $100,000 in its budget for design and construction.
Chairman of administrators John Watson said he had high hopes for the project following positive feedback from the community.
The council consulted the Brimbank Disability Network, Keilor Village traders, community groups and service providers.
“It’s the best consultation process I’ve experienced,” Mr Watson said. “It’s created a clear plan for future use of the site.”
But Keilor Residents and Ratepayers Association’s Susan Jennison said she was frustrated with a lack of details in the new plan.
“There’s no specific names attached to it or groups that have been approached and actually asked: ‘Would you like to go there? Do you want this space?’,” she said.
“I’m a bit nonplussed. We would very much like to know what’s happening to the future operation of the library … will it be expanded upon?”
Administrator John Tanner said the Brimbank Community and Civic Centre had already attracted “a good response” from potential tenant partners.
