WEST PALM BEACH, FL-Five developers have submitted preliminary applications to build Palm Beach County's convention center hotel. One of the developers is New York City-based Related Cos., which said it would team up with Hilton Hotels Corp. and Palm Beach Gardens-based Catafulmo Development to build and operate the hotel.

A team including West Palm Beach-based FRI Investors, National Investment Co. and Weston Hotels & Resorts also submitted a proposal. Other developers interested in building the long-planned convention center hotel in West Palm Beach are Grove Street Partners, an Atlanta-based development company; Acquest Realty Advisors, based in Michigan; and Garfield Traub Development, a Texas-based company.

After county staff determines which applications comply with the county's request, a selection committee will evaluate the proposals. The committee is expected to present its recommendations to the County Commission on Nov. 3.

Palm Beach County assistant administrator Shannon LaRocque says the county wants to be able to negotiate with multiple developers simultaneously and allow the county as much flexibility as possible during the process. A final selection is not expected until January 2010.