The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex is preparing to demolish the former Salvation Army building in downtown.

The BJCC purchased the brick building at 2126 11th Avenue North from the Salvation Army in 2016 for $3.9 million.

"The long-term use of the property will be determined as discussions regarding expansion of the BJCC continue," the BJCC said in a statement.

The BJCC received approval for the demolition from Birmingham's Design Review Committee on Wednesday morning. The demolition also includes one parking lot on the property.

The entertainment complex said the demolition will begin after it receives the necessary approvals and bidding of the project is completed.

The BJCC bought the downtown Salvation Army building while its new Center of Hope headquarters was in the development phase. The BJCC leased the building back to the Salvation Army until the new facility was ready to open.

The Salvation Army celebrated the opening of its new 110,000 square feet facility in October. The $25 million facility included the renovation of the former Lewis Elementary School building, 2015 26th Avenue North, as its centerpiece. It is located just north of Finley Boulevard on the east side of Interstate 65 at the Finley Boulevard exit.

While the BJCC said the future use of the former Salvation Army facility hasn't been determined, plans for a new stadium on its campus appear to be moving forward.

Earlier this month, the Jefferson County Commission approved allocating $30 million for the construction of a stadium. The body will allocate $1 million a year from the county's economic development fund for 30 years to the debt service on the multi-purpose facility.

The county's funding, though, is contingent on construction starting before the end of the year.

The city of Birmingham has yet to commit financially to the project. The Birmingham City Council is expected to discuss the project with Mayor Randall Woodfin next week.

The proposed $174 million open air stadium was designed by Kansas City, Mo.-based design and architecture firm Populous. It was included in the BJCC's master plan released in 2016.

The proposed stadium will include 45,000 permanent seats and space for 10,000 more temporary seats. The facility would also have 90,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space.

BJCC's 20-year master plan also includes a Legacy Arena makeover and an outside piazza renovation with a total price tag of $300 million.