Only one developer has responded to a city Urban Redevelopment Authority request for plans for a proposed grocery in the Hill District.

Ebony Development Co., which is in the Hill District, was the only firm to submit material by yesterday's 4 p.m. deadline, even though the URA sent requests to more than 100 people and supermarket operators earlier this fall.

"Obviously we would have liked to have gotten more," said Robert Rubinstein, the URA's acting director of business development. "I think it's indicative of the difficult job we have in proving there's a viable market there, which we believe there is."

The URA teamed with the Allegheny Union Baptist Association to seek a developer to build a grocery store as part of a larger retail and mixed-use project on a 2.37-acre parcel at Centre Avenue and Heldman Street in the heart of the Hill.

The proposal called for a grocery of at least 13,000 square feet, plus additional storefront retail at the ground level and commercial or residential development on the upper floors. The development would encompass two parcels, one owned by the URA and one by Allegheny Union, adjacent to the association's Triangle Shops center on Centre Avenue.

Exact details of Ebony's proposal were not available yesterday. Irvin Williams, who heads Ebony Development, could not be reached for comment.

Ebony is no stranger to the Hill District or efforts to lure a grocery store there.

It has developed two office buildings on Centre Avenue and was one of three developers to respond to an earlier URA request for proposals to develop a master plan to revitalize the Hill's commercial corridor.

Rubinstein said the URA will evaluate Ebony's proposal to determine if it is feasible. It also is willing to link Ebony with some of the supermarkets that have expressed at least some interest in the Hill.

Rubinstein said the agency must do more to educate developers about the viability of the Hill District market with the Crawford Square housing development, the two office buildings, and the new 460-unit Bedford Hope housing.

Meanwhile, in action at yesterday's URA board meeting, members approved:

*A $1.2 million Pittsburgh Development Fund loan to Roomful Express Furniture to help with the $14.1 million purchase and renovation of the former Horne's warehouse in the Chartiers Industrial Park.

*An application for a $1.4 million state grant to help with construction of a proposed $8.1 million community center with gym, swimming pool and offices in Lincoln-Larimer. The Kingsley Association is undertaking the project. Gov. Ed Rendell authorized the state funding this year.