Developers all over the country — from Washington, D.C., to St. Louis — want to build a new front door to Cincinnati.

        Twelve development teams have made their case to the Greater Cincinnati Port Authority on why they are qualified to build the $600 million riverfront project known as The Banks.

APPLICANTS

The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority Wednesday released the names of 12 teams interested in developing the central riverfront. Each team has several parties with different specialties.    The lead developers:    • Al Neyer Inc. and North American Properties, both of Cincinnati, co-developers: Two local companies with a range of commercial, residential and industrial projects.    • Broadacre Management Co., Chicago: Pioneered development of City Front Center, one of the largest waterfront industrial land parcels in Chicago.    • Duke Realty Corp., Cincinnati: One of the largest real estate companies in the nation, its local projects include 312 Walnut St., 312 Elm St. and Fountain Place.    • Eagle Realty Group, Cincinnati: In joint ventures for more than 15 years, it has developed thousands of apartments and hotel rooms.    • Hammes Co., Madison, Wis.: Projects include entertainment districts in Detroit and Milwaukee.    • Lincoln Property Co., Bethel Park, Pa.: One of the nation's largest developers, it developed a 254-unit community called Culbreath Key in Tampa.    • Madison Marquette, Cincinnati: Developed Tampa's Old Hyde Park Village and revitalized Seattle's 601 Pine St.    • McCormack Baron Associates Inc., St. Louis: Developing Cupples Station, a 12-acre area in downtown St. Louis next to Busch Stadium.    • North American Properties, Cincinnati: Projects include Provident Bank Tower, 212 E. Third St., and Northgate and Florence malls.    • Omni Management Group, Columbus: Largest African-American developer in the nation. Has built affordable housing, senior housing and offices.    • The Smith Group, Washington, D.C.: Master design plans for such projects as Chicago Navy Pier and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Concourse D.    • Staubach Co., Washington, D.C.: Projects include $800 million renovation of Penn Station in New York City.

        It would combine housing, office, retail and entertainment between Paul Brown Stadium and the new Great American Ball Park.

        The invitation to developers to submit their qualifications was the first reality test for the project.

        It passed that test, said Jack Rouse, chairman of the Port Authority.

        “It makes us feel pretty good about some of the things we've always believed about the project,” Mr. Rouse said. “That it's not just a local development. That it has, in fact, been on everyone's radar screen.

        “And it's doubly significant, because we were worried about whether the April (riots) thing would have any effect.”

        Port Authority members will spend the next two months poring over the information. It will then invite a handful of the development teams to submit more detailed proposals for the project.

        One or more of the teams will then be selected to begin building the new community.

        Of the 12 development teams:

        • Five are interested in the total project, which includes development of eight blocks between the two stadiums and parking garages north of Third Street.

        • Two are interested in the entire central riverfront area.

        • Two just want to build the garages north of Third Street.

        • Three hope to build selected blocks along the central riverfront.

        Jay Morey, a senior leasing representative for Duke Realty, said his firm is interested just in the development north of Third Street.

        “We wouldn't be opposed to partnering with someone for developing The Banks itself, if the opportunity presented itself and it made sense,” Mr. Morey said.

        Al Neyer Inc. is partnering with North American Properties in its submission. They are interested in all of the development blocks.

        “This is where we come from and this is where we plan to be,” said John Neyer, director of marketing. “We feel we have a vested interest in how this turns out.”

        Tim Sharp, interim director of the Port Authority, said the developers' submissions are a historic step for the project.

        “This is the first step of real developers looking at the project and investing in it,” Mr. Sharp said.

        It is unclear how many developers will be selected, or whether there will be a single “master developer,” that will be in charge of the project.

        Mr. Rouse said the biggest challenge will be deciding how to approach the project and deciding which firms should be on the development teams.

        “It's not going to be an easy decision to make,” Mr. Rouse said.

        “It would be tough to negotiate with 12 developers, so I think we'd like to at least cut that in half.”
       

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