Builders given food for thought.

The city's Economic Development Corporation is looking for a developer who can breathe new life into the landmark Battery Maritime Building at the southernmost tip of Manhattan.

Following a $60 million make-over of the exterior of the Beaux-Arts-style industrial building, the City has hinted it would like to see it used as a mecca to food, with retail and wholesale food markets, food production, education, outdoor farmers' market and restaurant, as well as event space.

Located at 10 South Street, the 140,000 s/f four-story building is seen as a gateway to Governors Island in New York Harbor, which is currently the focus of a Request for Proposals that is attracting a range of ideas to transform the 172-acre island into a tourist haven, including a spectacular Santiago Calatrava-designed gondola.

According to the EDC, developers may include Battery Maritime Building in any proposals for Governors Island.

Built in 1908, the Maritime Building features three ferry slips, including one dedicated to Governors Island, and a 10,000 s/f waiting hall on the second floor.

There is about 40,000 s/f of office space on the third and fourth floors. Over the past five years, the City has invested approximately $60 million restoring the building's exterior and stabilizing its substructure. The selected developer would be responsible for renovating the interior spaces, as well as any additional exterior renovations necessary for the adaptive reuse of the building, which is being offered for long-term lease.

The selected developer must also preserve the historic features of the building and endeavour to restore the architectural integrity of structure.

Copies of the RFP can be downloaded at www.nycedc.com/rfp. Proposals are due by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2006.