A group that wants to see the Khyber building used as an arts and cultural hub is encouraged by Halifax council's unanimous vote this week to sell the building, but only to a community interest group.

"It was wonderful to see such a clear mandate from council that this building belongs in the hands of the community," Emily Davidson of the 1588 Barrington Preservation Society told CBC's Information Morning.

"What we'll be doing is continuing to champion our idea of the Khyber building as a community hub, as a place for different groups to gather and have office space, performance space, all sorts of different wonderful things."

The group submitted a proposal to the municipality last year to buy the building for $1, but council voted Tuesday to dispose of the property through an administrative order.

That means there will be a public hearing and an open call for proposals, a process that could take up to two years.

"We are going to continue to refine our proposal which we had submitted to city staff. We're excited to put forward an official bid," Davidson said.

'It is a good old building'

The society is open to collaborating with other community groups about the future use of the building, she added.

"We're really open to other folks coming to us and saying, 'Hey does this work within the plan that you folks have already been working on.'"

She said renovating the building will cost an estimated $3 million. That includes getting rid of asbestos, bringing the structure up to building code standards and making it accessible to all. Upgrades will include adding a fourth floor and single stall, inclusive washrooms.

"That being said, the building is structurally quite sound. It is a good old building," said Davidson.

The group plans to raise the money through public and private funding.