Puerto Rico's government is closer to naming a master developer to repurpose a former Navy base.
The United States Navy used Roosevelt Roads primarily as an air base off and on from World War II to 2004.
The site has a total of 8,654 acres and is next to the Atlantic Ocean in the far northeast corner of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico's Local Redevelopment Authority for Naval Station Roosevelt Roads has been seeking to hire a master developer from the private sector to develop 3,400 acres at the site. The authority hopes to generate 20,000 jobs over the long term at the former base.
Projected uses include a cruise ship port, conference center, hotel, casino, golf courses, homes, warehouse, retail shops, and other uses.
Eight firms took the first step in the process by submitting statements of qualifications on Aug. 14.
On Sept. 1 the authority announced that it had selected four of the firms to respond to the request for proposal. This request has a Nov. 21 due date. After Nov. 21 the LRA will select one or more of the applicants for final negotiations to decide a master developer.
The authority expects development of the former base will require a $2 billion investment and to yield 20,000 jobs over the 25 to 30 years it will take to complete the redevelopment.
The LRA is intent on ensuring that the development hires extensively from workers and professionals who live in eastern Puerto Rico.
The LRA is also preparing eight contracts for small companies that will start operations by the last quarter of 2014 at Roosevelt Roads.
