The city of Mandan will take a new approach to filling the vacant lots left by the remediation effort and scattered through the downtown area.

Early last year Mandan sought request for proposals for the city-owned properties. There were 11 letters of interest but only two actual proposals and one was later withdrawn, business development director Ellen Huber told the city commission at its Tuesday meeting.

The only proposal moving forward is that from Scott and Sandy McFall who will attempt to renovate the old movie theater building into a dinner theater establishment.

Huber explained that the other nine interested parties indicated they were deterred from putting together a complete proposal because of a concern over the amount of competition.

In the request for qualifications the city is looking for development teams for two prime areas of city-owned property, according to Huber. The properties are located on the 200 block of west Main Street and the 100 block of east Main.

"The city is seeking a master developer for each area to create a comprehensive redevelopment strategy leading to construction of commercial-retail facilities that may include residential components," Huber said.

The city will review the RFQ submissions and select those most qualified, with no more than three per development area. These will be invited to respond to an RFP.

Initial responses to the RFQ are due Feb. 25. Those selected to provide RFPs will be given two months, until about the first week in May, to submit detailed proposals.

Huber pointed out that most of the "messy stuff" that went along with the diesel fuel remediation project was complete, the city has "cleaned house" and is primed for recruiting those interested in developing.

Some of the specific sites to be redeveloped include the former Furniture First, Hedahls and Engelter-Berger buildings. Also included are the lots that formerly held Ratz Bar, the Gartner Building and the Buckhorn Bar.

Commissioner Dan Ulmer asked for an update on the Rent-All building which the city is hoping to purchase and demolish providing a larger footprint for potential developers. The building is adjacent the lot where the Buckhorn stood.

City administrator Jim Neubauer said he had contacted the owner of the property but had not received a price for the building. Ulmer indicated that if there wasn't a resolution in the immediate future the city should make plans for taking the building down.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)