Two of the four teams asked to submit proposals earlier this year by the City of Oakland for its 108-acre piece did so by Thursday's deadline. One of the teams, comprised of AMB property Corp. and California Capital Group, is proposing a primarily industrial development. The other team, which includes Federal Development and Em Johnson Interest Inc., is proposing a primarily retail development. First Industrial Realty Trust and a team that included ProLogis and Catellus also were asked to respond to the City's RFP but did not.

The City's RFP Oakland asked for privately-financed proposals that include a mix of commercial and industrial uses, which could include flexible office space and logistics facilities. The RFP also asked that the developer teams to include space for the Oakland Film and Media Center and the Oakland Produce Market merchants.

In September, when the RFP went out, Gregory Hunter, Deputy Director of Oakland's Community and Economic Development Agency said the city is looking for "a dynamic mixed-use development that will take advantage of the site's unique location" to create "a gateway" to the city that "emphasizes commercial and industrial uses, green development, high-quality jobs, attractive design, and community benefits."

AMB/CCG team is proposing office space, industrial space or logistics facilities for the City's piece of the property. The Federal/Em Johnson team is proposing big-box and discount retail, office space and a hotel-conference center. Evaluations of the proposals are expected to go before the City Council by May.

Federal also reportedly plans to compete for the Port of Oakland's 168-acre property and, if successful, would master plan the two properties as one. The Port is seeking bids "for the master operation and maintenance, and long-term design, construction and finance of facilities…to support and enhance maritime activity" for a term of at least 30 years that would begin on or about Jan. 1, 2010. Bids must be received by the Port before 4:00 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2009.

Port executive director Omar Benjamin says the would-be public-private partnership is designed to stimulate new investment in maritime infrastructure while securing a long-term revenue stream for the agency. Port Maritime Director James Kwon says the property "sits in the heart of the seaport next to major marine-container and rail terminals," providing whomever it selects with "an exceptional opportunity to promote businesses that support maritime activity including intermodal rail, trade and logistics, and ancillary maritime support facilities."

The City's RFP process follows an unsuccessful bid for the site by a joint venture of Hollywood's Wayans brothers and Los Angeles-based Pacifica Capital Group. The JV had an exclusive negotiating agreement but let it lapse after the Port of Oakland reiterated plans for extending a six-story wall of containers such that it would block prime views from a significant portion of the property. Their plan, Destination Oakland, called for a 435,000-sf film production studio and creative office center, as well as 480,000 square feet of retail, entertainment and educational offerings.

"With containers on two sides, there would be no compelling reason why a creative company would want to come here from Emeryville, San Francisco, LA or anywhere else," Shuford told GlobeSt.com in fall 2007, when he was still hoping the City would help the Port change its mind about the defensive move.