The Corporation of Hamilton yesterday put out a request for proposals from the public for what it called the Front Street Waterfront Project.But City Hall offered little information on what kinds of proposals it‘s seeking. It does not say what areas of the waterfront it wants to develop, or what the latest overall plan or vision is for the area.And interested parties are being given barely a month, until October 19, to submit any proposals to the Corporation.City Hall said the waterfront project comes under Development, Infrastructure and Futures Committee chairman and Alderman Donal Smith.Secretary Ed Benevides said a resolution of a September 5 meeting decided to move ahead with the RFP.When asked yesterday for more details and the terms of reference for the RFP, Mr Smith said: “The City of Hamilton is looking for proposals from developers who have an interest in working with us on the development of the City’s waterfront.“The ad in the newspapers provides an opportunity for companies, large and small to step forward to express their interest and capabilities in providing the infrastructure necessary to successfully complete the project.”Mr Smith added: “We are looking to receiving updated interest from those that would like to partner with the Corporation on taking our beloved City into the future where ultimately the whole country benefits.”City Hall sources tell us before the leadership changes arising from the recent municipal elections, officials were discussing a much scaled-back version of redeveloping the waterfront — estimates for some of the earlier plans were close to $500 million.Most of the $20 million to $30 million estimated cost of the scaled-back plan was to have been spent on redeveloping the ferry terminal to better handle the masses of cruise passengers arriving from and departing for Dockyard, plus creating open space in the parking lot next to the terminal to be used for outdoor events, dining, retail and types of magnet attractions.It’s not clear what City Hall’s vision is now for the waterfront area, which is mostly owned by the Corporation.The Chamber of Commerce said yesterday it was not aware the RFP was going out, adding some of its members felt “the RFP in its current format is too broad and non-specific”.A Hamilton business owner said the RFP as advertised “does not give sufficient information” even if it’s meant to be “loose”.“It gives no idea of the extent of work being talked about — and where. The waterfront is a huge area. What are the terms of reference?”The ad in yesterday’s paper states that the Corporation “formally invites requests for proposals from all parties interested in the Front Street Waterfront Project. The successful candidate will be expected to partner with the Corporation of Hamilton and other interested agencies on an agreed/final concept.”Sir John has been among those pushing for redevelopment of the waterfront.A September column by Sir John and Larry Burchall talked about how redevelopment of the waterfront could help stimulate the economy with a casino, restaurants, retail shops, large new marina, convention/entertainment centre, parks, and waterfront market.The idea for redeveloping the waterfront goes back several years when Sir John held a contest to redesign it.Architect Sjur Linberg and artist John Mills won $25,000 each for their visions of a new Hamilton waterfront in that contest.Mr Linberg’s design involved making Hamilton Harbour more accessible to the public and visiting yachts by creating cruise ship piers that jut out diagonally from the waterfront, building 500 additional parking spaces underground at Par-la-Ville park and pedestrianising Queen Street.