A NEW tenant is moving into the former Bendigo Bank building on Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.
Councillors on Monday 12 October approved a lease with O’Brien Real Estate, Dandenong, for the prominent site on the Clow Street corner.
Greater Dandenong Council bought 282 Lonsdale Street in 2007 “for strategic purposes”.
Bendigo Bank vacated the site in October last year when it moved to the new Civic Centre at 225 Lonsdale Street.
The council has been investigating short-term social enterprise and market opportunities, but found converting the site to suit would cost too much.
It opened it up for a short-term lease in July and negotiated with O’Brien Real Estate, which plans to move in on 16 November and open before the holiday season.
The lease is for five years with an option for an additional five at a cost of $75,000 per year plus GST, with a 3 per cent increase each year.
The council agreed to a three-month rent-free period in lieu of costs to fit out the building.
