LITCHFIELD -- The Litchfield City Council has decided not to sell its old city hall.
The building, which was built in 1900 as an opera house, has been closed for more than three years because of mold and ventilation problems.
The city facilities committee recommended to the council last month that it be put up for bids. The winning bidder then would need to restore the building according to certain standards.
Monday, the council voted 4-3 not to sell the building. Council members Connie Lies, Gary Walz and Larry Dahl voted to sell it while Mayor Vern Madson and council members Barb Altringer, Peter Kormanik and Danielle Rodgers vote not to sell it.
The council also heard a proposal Monday from a Litchfield couple that is interested in restoring the building and making it into an arts center and possibly a dinner theater, Madson said.
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The council also discussed demolishing the building and turning the area into green space, he said. The opera house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city has debated whether the building should be restored or demolished.
A new city hall has been built on Marshall Avenue next to the opera house. The council plans to hold its first meeting there March 20.
Council meetings have been held at the Civic Arena since the old city hall closed in late 2002.
An open house at the new city hall will be 4 to 7 p.m. March 23.
