The GSA has named Colliers Seeley International to provide real estate marketing and disposition services for the planned near-term sale of the former Marine property, according to James Vereeke, the GSA's senior contracting officer.

The fate of the former air base was a bitterly fought contest between those who wanted to create a new commercial airport at the site and those who opposed the plan. The airport battle finally ended about a year ago when Orange County voters rejected the airport proposal. As it stands now, about 1,000 acres of the 4,500-acre tract are due to be turned into a 1,000-acre wildlife sanctuary owned by the federal government, with the rest to be developed into parkland and developments yet to be designed and planned.

The GSA estimates that the auction bidding for the 3,500 acres will start in the fall. It should be completed before year's end.

The Colliers Seeley team will be led by W. Bret Hardy and Patrick C. Remolacio. Hardy will be responsible for project administration and subcontract management and Remolacio for the design, implementation and management of the project's comprehensive marketing campaign. Jeff Scheferman, president and CEO of Colliers Seeley, will hold an oversight role in the project.

Colliers Seeley says it will enlist key subcontractors on the assignment, including Richard Lee of Richard Lee & Associates in Newport Beach, a due diligence services consulting firm. The contract between Colliers Seeley and the GSA calls for the real estate services firm to establish and staff a bidder support center; assemble a prospective bidder database; provide due diligence information to prospective bidders; conduct property tours for prospective buyers; and perform a number of other duties in connection with the upcoming auction.