Although port officials won't suggest which developers will receive the RFQs, 11 developers have expressed interest in the property, according to sources. Developers will have to figure out a way to incorporate office, retail, industrial and marina space and connect it to the nearby Lake Merritt channel.

The port will also ask developers to include public access to the waterfront and build related amenities and residential space, including live/work lofts, townhouses and single-family units. Currently, the area is home to mostly industrial and warehouse space, as well as a marina that is hardly used.

The RFQ were originally supposed to be circulated late last year, but port officials took the extra time to develop its criteria for the project. There was no information on what kind of timeline the port is working with. Officials say they would like to see construction start by the end of 2002.