The Assembly Rooms building dates back to 1769.
A decision on the acquisition was deferred until another meeting of Strategic Policy and Research Committee to be held next week.
Cllr Long said: “We have long campaigned for this historic building to be restored and advocated that the Council is best placed to achieve this. Following the original motion, we have been pressing for action and are delighted that there has been substantial progress made on acquiring the building.
“From a heritage point of view, it’s unacceptable that this building has been allowed to deteriorate to the stage of actually falling down. Dating back to the late 1700s, it’s overseen monumental social and political shifts both within the city of Belfast and in wider society in general, including the abolition of slavery and the rise of the United Irishmen movement, as well as being a critical hub for the development of traditional arts.
“This acquisition would be an exciting opportunity to bring one of Belfast's most important and historically significant buildings back into public use for both residents and tourists alike, as well as aid crucial regeneration of this part of the city centre alongside the upcoming Belfast Stories attraction."
A decision on the acquisition was deferred until another meeting of Strategic Policy and Research Committee to be held next week.
Cllr Long said: “We have long campaigned for this historic building to be restored and advocated that the Council is best placed to achieve this. Following the original motion, we have been pressing for action and are delighted that there has been substantial progress made on acquiring the building.
“From a heritage point of view, it’s unacceptable that this building has been allowed to deteriorate to the stage of actually falling down. Dating back to the late 1700s, it’s overseen monumental social and political shifts both within the city of Belfast and in wider society in general, including the abolition of slavery and the rise of the United Irishmen movement, as well as being a critical hub for the development of traditional arts.
“This acquisition would be an exciting opportunity to bring one of Belfast's most important and historically significant buildings back into public use for both residents and tourists alike, as well as aid crucial regeneration of this part of the city centre alongside the upcoming Belfast Stories attraction."