The proposal, which was designed by RTKL Associates, includes 1,979 condominiums, townhouses and apartments; 601,652-sf of office space, 28,081-sf of restaurants and retail space. The proposed site, which is located at Richards Boulevard and north Seventh Street, is part of a warehouse district that is slated for redevelopment.

According to city officials, the project would require both private financing and city funds. Don Harris, founder of Nehemiah Progressive Housing Corp, created the investment team to invest in rebuilding central city neighborhoods.

The Nehemiah Community Reinvestment Fund purchased the cannery for about $8 million several years ago and will finance its redevelopment. The group says that this redevelopment will bring new economic opportunities, commerce and tenants into the neighborhood. If the proposal is approved, construction could begin as soon as 2004.