Any move to buy the Trinity Centre has been ruled out "at this time" by Aberdeen City Council.
This came as the next multi-million-pound wave of Aberdeen regeneration work was unanimously backed by the full council yesterday.
The £150million masterplan refresh is bringing forward new ideas for the city centre and beach.
Those include the potential for a new Dons stadium at the seafront, as well as the Aberdeen market development on Union Street.
The new masterplan blueprint has been expanded to take in historic Footdee and the Donmouth.
Earlier this week, the Press and Journal revealed that the Trinity Centre will soon be put on the market.
It lies on the central stretch of Union Street and across from Union Terrace Gardens, undergoing a near £30million rejuvenation itself.
'Opportunity' to snap up centre
It was reported that chief planning officer David Dunne had suggested there was an "opportunity" to snap up the Trinity Centre.
Management firm Ellandi told the P&J there was a "possibility" of a sale.
The centre is not yet on the market, but there are seven shop sites and three kiosks up for rent currently.
However, the SNP and Liberal Democrat ruling partnership have agreed with the Conservatives and Labour that the taxpayer should not purchase the centre.
Conservative group leader Ryan Houghton said: "I think it's important that we give a categoric statement today that the council is not going to buy the Trinity Centre."
Council co-leaders Alex Nicoll and Ian Yuill, Mr Houghton and Labour chief Sandra Macdonald then left the room to strike an agreement.
The statement issued later says: "This council has no intention to purchase the Trinity Centre at this time.”
Green corridor
After the full council meeting, Councillor Nicoll said it was to be welcomed that a green corridor stretching from the Dee to the Don and protecting the heritage of Footdee was agreed.
He added: "The beachfront plans would help to create more facilities for both residents and visitors alike as well as making the area more accessible."
Councillor Yuill welcomed the progress on the plans for the city centre and beach masterplan, which are designed to create an open and more-accessible beach area.
He added: "We look forward to more updates in the coming months."