Local development officials are hoping the success of The Waterfront will spill over into the streets of Homestead.

The Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority is looking for developers willing to take a chance on converting about 45 publicly owned properties perched at the doorstep of the popular shopping and entertainment strip into housing and retail.

While The Waterfront is booming with shopping and nightlife, the complex itself ended up being "walled off from Homestead," said Dennis Davin, county economic development director.

The county is hoping to rectify that through the proposed redevelopment. Over the past four years, it has acquired the 45 properties with an eye toward potential rehabilitation or reuse.

Most of the properties are on East Sixth Avenue or East Seventh Avenue within a couple of blocks of The Waterfront's Amity Street entrance. Another group of properties are on Eighth Avenue, the main thoroughfare through Homestead. It intersects with Amity.

Mr. Davin said the county and the borough are looking for street-level retail reuses on Eighth Avenue with upper-floor residential. Closer to The Waterfront, they generally see residential development, though they are not wed to any one plan.

"We'll listen to anything right now," he said.

As part of the effort, the county intends to reuse any historic buildings it owns, though non-historic structures could be demolished in favor of new construction. To help stir interest, money already has gone to improve sidewalks, lighting and facades in the area.

The request for proposals is based on the Steel Valley Redevelopment Plan created by officials in Homestead, West Homestead and Munhall. Local officials will review the proposals in conjunction with the county.

The goal of the development, according to the RFP, is to create a "vibrant destination to supplement existing arts, cultural, and restaurant amenities" and to complement The Waterfront.

"There's a lot of synergy. The other thing is there's a lot of traffic that comes in from Eighth Avenue. The idea is there's so much traffic, let's get a piece of that and it helps Homestead," Mr. Davin said.

Proposals are due Jan. 5. The Redevelopment Authority sent proposals to developers Nov. 20. Based on the number of inquiries so far, interest appears to be good, Mr. Davin said. "We feel pretty comfortable that we're going to get something," he said.

One person the county has talked to about the redevelopment is Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, who has spent a lot of time and money helping his hometown. Mr. Davin said Mr. Batch also owns a piece of property in the proposed redevelopment area.

"We sent a proposal to him. He's done some terrific work in Homestead with residential homes he has rehabilitated. He's really made a commitment to Homestead," he said.

Mr. Davin said he isn't sure at this point whether the county will offer subsidies to help spur development.

"If developers come back and say they need no assistance, that's great. If they do need assistance, we'll look at it on a case-by-case basis," he said.