Visit Oxford, now located in the historic building on East Jackson Avenue, will soon move its offices to City Hall, which will also include a Visitor’s Center.

The city’s tourism department moved into the office that once housed the Freeland Law Firm and the law firm of Phil Stone, William Faulkner’s attorney and friend, in 2015. They lease the building from Dave and Anne Fair. Their lease is up in 2025.

On Tuesday, the Oxford Board of Aldermen approved a contract with Howorth and Associates to design the renovations and modifications of existing spaces inside City Hall.

The project will include reconfiguring office spaces on the main floor of City Hall for Visit Oxford staff, creating a dedicated Visitor’s Center on the lower floor, or basement level, including a new entrance on the east side of the building that will open onto the Pocket Park. There are alternate plans to explore options for adding a public bathroom on the main level of City Hall.

The project is expected to cost about $675,000.

Special Projects Director Mark Levy told the board that he hopes to bid out the project in December.

Mayor Robyn Tannehill said the project will pay for itself in less than eight years with Visit Oxford no longer having to pay rent.