In front of a packed house, councillors in Stratford endorsed a plan to preserve part of the vacant Cooper site.

“I think it’s a good step in the right direction,” Coun. Danielle Ingram told CTV News after the vote.

“It’s a good way to recognize Stratford’s heritage.”

The so-called ‘annex lands’ part of the site, containing an estimated 75,000 square feet of space, will be saved, with the rest of the former train repair facility demolished.

City officials estimate that the remaining structure could be converted into four storeys, potentially quadrupling the amount of space.

Possible tenants for the site could include a police station or a new library.

Final approval from city council is expected next week.