COOS BAY — The city of Coos Bay has a master plan for the Empire waterfront, commonly known as the Hollering Place. Now it needs someone to turn the ideas into a mixed-use development, appealing to both tourists and locals.

The team of consultants assembled by Oregon Downtown Development Association presented its plans for the city-owned property to a generally receptive audience Thursday at Sunset Middle School.

Its features include an overlook with a retail/visitor information center on top of the site’s bluff. At the lower level, the plan has a restaurant-inn surrounded by smaller structures with storefronts and second-story cottages. It also features a trail, which would follow the waterfront and include maps explaining the area’s history.

People made minor critiques, questioning whether there would be enough parking or if the development could weather a South Coast winter.

Tom Bennett, an urban designer on the ODDA team, reminded them that the plan is simply a guideline for developers.

“What you see here is not what will be built,” he said. “It represents a flavor of what is wanted by the community.”

Before the city thinks about bringing in a developer, Mayor Jeff McKeown said, the Urban Renewal Agency must make several decisions.

Should the overlook be developed first, before the lower level?

Should the city start soliciting for developers now or in a better economic climate?

And how much infrastructure investment should be made before seeking private capital?

McKeown said he would like the agency to hire a professional recruiter to bring in developers.

“I don’t want us to say, ‘We have a master plan,’ and then put it on the shelf,” he said after the meeting.

City Manager Chuck Freeman said the city may want to wait until spring to solicit developers, though he said the Urban Renewal Agency is scheduled to discuss the Hollering Place at its next meeting Nov. 18.

One resident, Frank Walsh, asked if the city could ensure a developer abides by the community’s interest in highlighting its history.

ODDA Economist Jerry Johnson said the city would have the option of setting criteria when considering various proposals. That could mean requiring the project to include historical features, environmentally-friendly building practices or the use of local contractors.

Vicki Dugger, executive director of ODDA, said the master plan lets the developer know what the community wants.

“It’s a road map, a game plan,” she said.

It also leaves open the possibility for improvements.

“What the developer comes up with will be even better,” she said.

There was some opposition to the plan. Two speakers brought up the specter of the proposed liquefied natural gas terminal bringing noise and tankers passing by the Hollering Place. One said the city should focus on developing the waterfront along Highway 101 and leave the Hollering Place property vacant.

Walsh was one of several audience members who said he would be more than happy to see ships passing by.

Many speakers complimented ODDA for its work.

“I think we are moving in the right direction,” said Steve Skinner.