A spectacular roof top viewing terrace, museum and new city gardens are just a few of the projects which could make the city's biggest architectural gem a real "people's" building.

The seat of politics could soon be alive with music and leisure as architects transform its use but preserve its magnificent features.

The architects have been shortlisted in an international competition Designs on Democracy to make Britain's city and town halls accessible to local people.

Bradford, Letchworth and Stockport are all involved in the competition organised by the Institute of Public Policy Research, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment; Architects Journal and Design Council.

More than 80 teams of architects entered the competition and were narrowed down to three finalists in each area.

Now architects Bauman Lyons, of Leeds, which designed Bradford's award winning Manchester Road bus shelters are battling it out with two rivals.

And the company faces tough competition from London-based Penoyre & Prasad and Witherford, Watson and Mann, which have also won top awards and accolades.

It could result in the winner designing a £10 million scheme to transform the use of the 132-year-old Grade One star listed building and make it the hub of the community.

The entries were seen for the first time last night by 12 people from Bradford's speak out forum - a panel made up of selected members of the public and extensively used by the Council for consultation on many issues.

The plans, complete with models, are now on display in Bradford Central Library until January 10.

Comments from the panel and the public will be sent to the judges who will take their views into account when they choose a winner.

People can comment on the proposals and put forward their own ideas via the Capital of Culture website on www.bradford2008.co.uk which is linked with the Council website www.bradford.gov.uk

Council leader Council Margaret Eaton said: "City Hall is a wonderful old building but some people find it very imposing and intimidating and we want to open it up and make it more welcoming."

A start has already been made on opening up City Hall for the public with the Council chamber and historic court house in the building being used for wedding ceremonies. A new tourist information has also been opened.

Representatives of people's panels for each authority selected for the competition will join the judges in London and the winning teams will be announced by the Institute for Public Policy Research on January 20.

The winners will be asked to work on more detailed plans and liaise with a project management group in each area. There will be further public consultation before any final decisions are made.

Ideas already suggested for City Hall before the competition included using the old police cells on the ground floors for leisure including bars, an internet caf, gym, shops and art gallery.