Poplar Bluff city council chambers and city court are expected to move to the Black River Coliseum in April, following a decision Monday by city council members.
The item was not part of the regular council agenda, and was discussed during the city manager's report.
Council members voted unanimously on a resolution directing city manager Mark Massingham to move forward with the effort.
More information regarding the timeline will be decided in the upcoming days, according to Massingham.
Both operations will share room 4, at the back of the coliseum. The space is just under 2,200 square feet and will have a separate entrance.
This option offers the least cost to the city, according to Massingham.
"I'm just trying to avoid paying more rent for another place or for renovations. I don't know where else the city has that we could go," he said.
Council member at-large Ron Black said this is a good, temporary move, but other council members expressed concern about the location.
"I don't know the answer. I just know that I still get complaints," said mayor pro tem Susan McVey.
People are concerned about security, parking and how much access will be available to other portions of the coliseum, she said.
The hallway used by the council chambers and city court will be cordoned off from the remainder of the coliseum, Massingham said. An entrance from a side street will be used for the space.
Ward 4 representative Philip Crocker questioned if this would put the coliseum at a disadvantage when holding events.
Coliseum staff have said they will work around it, Massingham said.
"I don't like the idea, but I don't know where else to go," Crocker said.
City council chambers and the city courtroom are the only operations that remain in the Second Street complex, which formerly held city hall and the police department.
Few working bathrooms remain in the building due to frozen pipes during the winter months.
A leaking roof has continued to get worse as well. Insulation from collapsed ceiling tiles can be seen on the floors throughout the hallways, along with numerous buckets to collect water.
"The conditions to me are deplorable, with the bathrooms, the humidity in the building," Massingham said.
McVey agreed, saying, "It's not a safe environment for anybody to be in."
Problems with the Second Street complex were identified by city leadership as early as November 2013, when it was first suggested the building was beyond repair because of roof problems.
The council chambers are used for a variety of advisory board meetings throughout the month, in addition to council meetings.
Various city councils since then have discussed and abandoned plans for renovations, new construction or relocating to other property.
The most recent attempt to establish a new city complex, with the purchase of Northwest Medical Center, was stopped in February. Inspections revealed potentially costly problems, including possible flooding in the basement and a failing heating and cooling system.
Several council members said after the purchase was stopped they want to take time before looking at other solutions.
The city currently pays about $7,800 a month to rent buildings for city hall and the police department.