The Whangarei District Council is calling for proposals for the building it intended to be the Hundertwasser Art Centre.
The council voted last month not to go ahead with the $13 million project because the community was divided over its merits - and the cost.
A model of the proposed arts centre. Photo: RNZ / Lois Williams
At a meeting on Thursday morning it moved to invite other proposals from the public.
The proposals must include management structures, a business case, ongoing costs and any expected council contributions.
Mayor Sheryl Mai said the council wanted something great that met its long-held plan for an iconic attraction at Whangarei's Town Basin.
Business people and art lovers working to resurrect the Hundertwasser project have said they'll be ready with a proposal to build it that won't involve ratepayers' money.