The city is looking for "a dynamic mixed-use development thatwill take advantage of the site's unique location to generate adiverse array of jobs that serve a range of employment needs forOakland residents and create an attractive gateway to the city,"according to Gregory Hunter, Deputy Director of Oakland's Communityand Economic Development Agency. Also reflected in the RFP are theexpectations of the city's Economic Development Agency Board, whosevision "emphasizes commercial and industrial uses, greendevelopment, high-quality jobs, attractive design, and communitybenefits."

The development strategy is the result of two years of analysisand community workshops. City staff used several consulting firms,including Bay Area Economics, to examine the market potential andfeasibility of attracting different industries in the Army Base.BAE's managing principal Janet Smith-Heimer says her firm sees thesite as offering "the opportunity to bring new clean techindustries and green collar jobs to the City, as details of theproject are fleshed out."

After the Agency Board makes final comments on the RFP language,staff will issue the RFP to the four developerteams--AMB/California Capital Group, Federal Development, FirstIndustrial Realty Trust, and ProLogis/Catellus. Proposals will bedue in February 2009. The proposals will be analyzed and thenbrought back to the Agency Board for discussion.