The city has designated a five-acre site in Downtown for the project, and may soon demolish the five vacant buildings there. The property is at the northwestern corner of Arizona Avenue and Chicago Street.

More than a year ago, the Chandler City Council rejected a proposal for an ice arena project on the site, saying that the developer, Brent Sapergia, failed to provide the necessary documents regarding his financing for the deal.

The city is offering the land and other incentives to developers as an enticement.

City officials have not indicated just what kind of destination-use project they would like to see on the site, other than to say that the Harkins 11-screen movie theater complex in Downtown Tempe is a good example.

Chandler, a suburb about 20 miles southeast of Downtown Phoenix, has been one of the fastest growing cities in the nation for the past decade. In 1980, the population was 30,000, and now it is approximately 185,000.

Developers have until June 12 to submit proposals.