Dukes County is looking to purchase the former home of the Vineyard Nursing Association to house the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living.

County Manager Martina Thornton told the Edgartown selectmen Monday about a preliminary plan to raise as much as $1.6 million to purchase and renovate the building, which is located near State Road in Tisbury.

The Vineyard Nursing Association closed its doors in March.

The county would file special legislation in order to post a bond for the building’s purchase, a process that will take several months. The purchase would also be put to a vote in each town during fall special town meetings.

Funds for the acquisition of the building would potentially come from the towns, as the county cannot afford the building at their current funding levels.

The Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living, a nonprofit organization that works with the senior population, has been looking for a permanent home for some time. They operate a social program for seniors during the day at the Edgartown council on aging.

Ms. Thornton said Monday that the new building would present more than enough space for the Center for Living, with potential to rent some of the space to another tenant. “We would like all the towns to be on board because we see this as being an all-Island initiative,” she said.

Edgartown selectmen said Monday that they would stand behind it.

“I think what you are hearing from our board is support for this concept,” said board chairman Arthur Smadbeck. “I hope the whole Island feels that way.”