Work to improve the Sims Building at Port Chalmers to make it easier for future upgrades and renovations will start next week.
The Sims Building, formerly known as the Stevenson and Cook Foundry, adjoins Beach Street and Macandrew Road in Port Chalmers.
The Dunedin City Council (DCC), which owns the building, has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port Chalmers Foundry Society (PCFS) which has been fundraising and developing concept plans to convert it into a community venue.
Work to deconstruct the 1970s extension on the southern end of the building began Monday, 9 June and is expected to take about two weeks. The majority of the work will be completed by the end of next week, but further minor work will continue until Friday, 20 June.
Once the section of the building is deconstructed, it will make accessing and redeveloping the building easier and allow the DCC to assess the bank and surrounding land.
It will also allow the PCFS to further its plans to convert it into a community and recreational facility.
The PCFS has been working with architects and project management consultants to develop concepts for the venue, and has been fundraising to help bring these plans into fruition.
Demolition and the installation of protective barrier fencing should cost about $60,000.