THE historic CF Williams building in Peisley Street will remain standing for just a little longer after Orange City Council rejected quotes for demolition, saying they didn't fall within council's budget.
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Councillors voted in December last year to go ahead with demolition of the site, with a council spokesman saying they held discussions in closed council to ensure no one could gain financial advantage by making public the issues surrounding the costs of demolishing the building.
At last week's closed meeting it was resolved that council reject all the tenders for the demolition of 250-262 Peisley Street and not invite fresh tenders due to the cost of the tendering process.
Instead council has authorised general manager Garry Styles to enter into negotiations with Forefront Services Pty Ltd, who lodged one of the tenders for the demolition.
Orange historian Phil Stevenson late last year called on council to retain the existing building.
He wanted council to hold off on a decision to demolish the building and explore other options for converting the building to another use.
Mr Stevenson had wanted council to look at other options for the building’s use including using it as a storage facility for the Orange Regional Gallery and the Orange Regional Museum.
But councillors said it was impractical and too expensive.
Council spokesman Nick Redmond said details of the budget for the proposed demolition would not be released to the public.
"If disclosed they could confer a commercial advantage on someone to the detriment of community funds," he said.
Council has not disclosed what they propose will be the new use for the space once the building is demolished, but the construction of the new museum has added to parking pressure in the area.
Potentially a night market in Robertson Park, a farmers' market, a show at the Orange Civic Theatre, Orange library operating and an exhibition in the Orange Regional Gallery could all be taking place in the area at the same time, adding to parking congestion.
The Peisley Street property is just one of several land and property acquisitions by council in the last two years.
Council now owns Esso Park, as well as entering into an agreement to acquire the former Orange Base Hospital site.
