JOPLIN — A Missouri building owner said Thursday he expects the owner of the building where he plans to open a new office to agree to a new lease deal if the owner approves a new development deal with the developer.

Randy Jackson, who owns the 200-year-old office building on Main Street, said he and his wife, Michelle, have been negotiating a new deal with Drexel.

They hope to reopen the building by the end of the year.

We are trying to find a way to move forward, Jackson said.

He said he has not been able to find anyone who wants to sell the building to Drexels.

He did not say how much he is asking for.

The building is owned by the Missouri Historical Society.

Drexel spokeswoman Stephanie DeRita confirmed to ABC News that Jackson has been negotiating for a new building lease for about a year, but she did not have an estimate for how much money Drexell is seeking for the property.

She said Drexells general counsel has been reaching out to various parties, including Jackson and the Historical Society, in hopes of reaching a new agreement.

The Historical Society declined to comment.

Jackson said he expects to open the building at the end “of the year.”

Jackson said his wife is willing to open up a second office in the building.

He is planning to renovate the building into a new commercial space that will also house a cafe.

He said the space will be for small businesses that have been struggling to find space in the old building.

“We are looking to provide for our employees, as well as create a new community for people to hang out,” he said.

“We want to provide that for our customers.”

Jackson said Derelters general counsel was reaching out recently to the Historical Societies and other parties in hopes they could agree on a new, short-term lease deal.

He added that he has been trying to negotiate with the building’s owners to get a new contract.

Jackson’s attorney, Paul Kornel, said DERElters has been working on a long-term deal with a local developer for a commercial space.

The building’s historic significance and location in downtown Joplin is a big draw for Jackson.

He was planning to move the building, which was built in 1891, in the early 1900s to accommodate a new hotel.

It was not until the mid-2000s that Jackson decided to sell it.