Alas, they do not hold title. Not yet. Opus and Center Oak are deep in exclusive negotiations with quarry owner Washington County to purchase the property in exchange for the right development and a stake in the upside. What Opus has so far offered for the property has not yet been revealed.

Despite the expectations for a January sale agreement, Bruce Wood, senior director for Opus Northwest, tells GlobeSt.com there are a number of different possible outcomes. "They are considering a ground lease arrangement, buying certain parcels, or selling it all to somebody else and splitting the profits," says Wood. "It could be any of that."

Regardless, Wood says the plan is to wrap up negotiations by mid-January and this spring begin a year's worth of site development before breaking ground on 427,000-sf of retail in 2003 and following up with 450,000 sf of office. The project is being marketed as Bridgeport Village, "a mixed-use lifestyle center."