The City Park Board of Commissioners is getting closer to issuing a request for proposals on developing a $24 million golf complex in the 1,500-acre park. City Park CEO Bob Becker outlined the RFP to the park board Tuesday and said it will be reviewed a final time before the request is issued.

"I expect that it will be done shortly," Becker said Wednesday.

The City Park board in late May approved changes to the park's master plan that cleared the way for a redeveloped golf facility. City Park has in hand about $15.5 million to pay for Phase I -- $5.9 million in FEMA reimbursements and $9.65 million from state capital outlay. The nonprofit Bayou District Foundation is said to be raising approximately $9 million in private money to cover the remaining costs of the project and is expected to make that bid when the RFP is issued.

Gerry Barousse, BDF chairman of the board, could not be reached for comment Wednesday, but he said in May, "There is no question that we would respond to the RFP, and it will be a very strong response."

Once the RFP is issued, it will be open for a minimum of 30 days, Becker said.

"We hope that we've structured the RFP so that we will get competition," Becker said.

After taking the bids, Becker said, the process will continue.

"The earliest dirt could be turned is a separate question," he said. "Once all the responses are in and we evaluate them and pick one, then we have to negotiate with our partner. Then we have to get a design.

"We have a master plan, but not a true design. We have to have design money. It's a four-month process minimum. We also have to restructure the FEMA money for a new project rather than a rebuild of the clubhouse or whatever. We've started on that process. Then it will go out for bids on the construction part of this.

"We all knew this would take time. We want to get it correct. The RFP has been through a lot of review. Look, we have the big thing, the master plan. Now it's about getting the pieces of the project to fall into place."

The golf project is expected to cost about $24.5 million and would include construction of an 18-hole championship course designed by noted architect Rees Jones, a renovated North Course (the only course currently open), a clubhouse, driving range, range clubhouse and maintenance facility. It would be built between Interstate 610 and Filmore Avenue, with completion expected by fall of 2011 or in 2012.

It is expected to yield $1.6 million in net operating income by 2016, City Park officials said.