Christina Estes/KJZZ

This building was once home to a First National Bank of Arizona branch on the northeast corner of 24th Street and Jefferson Street in Phoenix.

Some Phoenix leaders and staffers want to see new life come to a former bank building.

A chain link fence surrounds the 1.55 acre site on 24th Street between Jefferson and Washington Streets. Built in 1966 to house a First National Bank of Arizona branch, the city bought it in 2000. The Aviation Department used it for about eight years, but it’s been lifeless for a decade.

“Both the Aviation and the Economic Development teams have received a number of requests for this particular building and Aviation has determined they no longer need the building,” Economic Development Director Christine Mackay said.

She wants the city to issue a request for proposals to sell the property. Councilwoman Laura Pastor and her colleagues on the Aviation Subcommittee agreed and will ask the full council to approve the request.

“I feel like the request for proposal is really at the heart of really wanting to preserve that building but making it an awesome gateway from the airport to downtown Phoenix,” Pastor said.

Appraised at $470,000, the building’s concrete parasols are part of the mid-century modern design. Among other things, developers must agree to preserve the architecture and have their plans vetted by the Historic Preservation Commission. The council is expected to vote on issuing a request for proposals on June 20.