Council bosses are to investigate the best way to bring an empty care home in Perth back into use.
Residents were moved out of Beechgrove House last August in a bid to save almost £500,000.
Health and social care teams had been using the building in Hillend Road as a base since then but now they have also vacated the premises.
Councillors agreed to explore potential uses for the site at a meeting of the full Perth and Kinross Council yesterday.
More than 2,500 people signed a petition to try to save the home from the axe before the move was voted through by the local integration joint board.
Council officers will look into the possibility of using the premises for a range of health and social care purposes, as well as the possibility of creating various types of housing.
The proposal was put forward by Perth City South SNP councillor Sheila McCole and backed by colleagues from all parties.
She said: “This is an ideal opportunity for Perth and Kinross Council to retain ownership of the Beechgrove House site to address gaps in specialist social housing needs that are increasingly varied and complex.
“We should be seeking alternative solutions that will also support the need to increase the pace of, and capacity for, fuller health and social care integration.”
She wants the council to consider options such as sheltered and specialist housing, intermediate care, rehabilitation and short-term and residential respite services.
Independent councillor Xander McDade suggested trialling an inter-generational residential complex where elderly people could live side-by-side with students.
Similar schemes elsewhere have been shown to combat loneliness and improve mental health.
Mr McDade sat on the integration joint board in 2018 and left the meeting in protest when it was decided Beechgrove House would be closed.
Liberal Democrat Willie Wilson, who also represents the Perth City South ward, said the site might be better used for health, social care or housing purposes if the building was modified or flattened.
Officers will report back with their findings at a later date.
