Developers continuously scour the southeast section of the city for housing growth opportunities, but many of the best spots are gone, said Kathy Sheets, the city's director of real estate. That's why, she said, the city is working hard to obtain the Culver Road Armory and adjoining land.

Sheets spoke to about 60 people at a meeting last Thursday about the city's plans for the site.

The state contacted the city in early April, offering the 12-acre site for $1. But the offer came with a set of restrictions on how the site could be used, limiting it to mostly government offices or recreational use. City officials didn't want to accept the restrictive terms because it would hamper future development, Sheets said. But if they didn't respond within 30 days, the property would have been sold at auction.

"We asked for a six-month extension," Sheets said. "But we are very committed to getting control of this site. We see it as a jewel in the rough."

There have been rumblings about the availability of the site for years. It was built as a cavalry training facility in 1916. The main building is 70,000 square feet, and it sits on three parcels across from the Culver Road entrance to Cobbs Hill Park.

In 2000, the state considered closing the Armory, but changed its plans. That fueled speculation that the site might become available sometime in the near future. The Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association held a community design charette in October 2004, and included the Armory site in its plans as a way to begin a public dialogue about the site's future use.

"We have learned that all development is not always good development," said Helen Hogan, executive director of the Southeast Area Coalition. "We want to be sure that the community has input into how this site is developed."

The charette recommended restoration of the Armory for a mix of retail and office use. A combination of one- and two-story housing would be added to the western parcel.

The next step is for the city and the state to negotiate a purchase. The city could pay the state the market value for the property so the restrictions are no longer an issue. But there is concern that route could make the property too expensive to re-sell to developers, Sheets said.

There may be what Sheets called a "hybrid" option, which would mean working with an agency like the Empire State Development Corporation. Having an agency manage the site would ease the development restrictions, Sheets said.

While the city works on obtaining the property, the Third Rochester Enterprise Corporation, led by Don Boyd, is forming a task force with community leaders and representatives from business groups and neighborhood associations. The purpose, Boyd says, is to make sure that all concerned parties have input into whatever project is planned for the Armory site.

"We need to speak with one community voice," Boyd says. "We want to hear what everyone has to say. But we'll have more influence if we are working together."