A team of engineers have been appointed to draw up designs and the subsequent costs for the safe operation of the 127m tall tower.
Since its construction, the building has been hit with numerous technical problems brought about by over heavy elevators, which sank the structure and overwhelmed the delicate ball bearing base.
Temporary supports were installed onto the tower following the issue, however it has remained closed since August 2010 over concerns that the weakened structure could still collapse.
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The scheme was designed by Richard Horden but he was removed from the project two years before its completion, in 1999, due to a row over cost and delays.
Speaking to BBC News, Stephen Breslin, Chief Executive of the science centre, explained: "We have settled the outstanding litigation with contractors Carillion and that is public record. There is no outstanding litigation. This means we can now concentrate on a solution.
"We have commissioned some engineers to put together a fairly detailed design and costing for reopening the tower. But I will only commit money if we have a workable solution.
"Given the tower's history, we can't afford to get it wrong again."
(JP)
