A half dozen groups interested in improving downtown Houston's retail options submitted initial proposals to redevelop the former Sakowitz department store building on Main Street, officials said Tuesday.

"If all the stars align … we're going to have a really great retail development there that might also include residential and perhaps a hotel," Ryan Leach, executive director of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, said during the group's monthly board meeting.

The responses from the six groups, which the authority declined to name, are based on a formal request issued earlier this year seeking developers that could demonstrate financial capability, experience and the ability to secure national retailers.

The objective outlined in the request is to create a mixed-use project including some 90,000 square feet of retail space along with residential units or a hotel. The project, which would also include parking, would involve redeveloping 1111 Main and incorporate space in the adjacent 1010 Lamar building. The Main Street building is now being used as a parking garage.

The six responses to the request have been reviewed and a committee has identified a shortlist of groups that have been asked to provide additional information before a final decision is made. The deadline for the final submissions is Aug. 10, and a deal could be finalized early next year.

Building owner

The authority is working with the owner of the buildings, Younan Properties, to select a developer. The chosen developer would likely purchase the Main Street building from Younan. Public sector incentives may be available for the project, subject to certain approvals.

Aside from bars and restaurants, downtown has struggled to attract other types of retailers like boutiques and major chains.

That's partly due to a lack of space, something the new project will help to alleviate, said Bob Eury, president of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority.

"We've really struggled with not having enough space in the right locations," he said.

The plan coincides with a resurgence of downtown residential development that will add thousands of upscale housing units

Task force

The redevelopment plan is one of the results of a retail task force formed in 2013 by Mayor Annise Parker that recommended Dallas Street between Milam and La Branch serve as a downtown shopping district. The task force determined there is demand for at least another 350,000 to 400,0000 square feet of retail downtown.

In conjunction with the retail effort, the authority has started work on $16 million of improvements planned along Dallas Street that will include new street surfaces, vehicular and pedestrian lighting, sidewalks, pavers and landscaping. Some $12 million will be spent on Main Street upgrades, including lighting, landscaping and sidewalks.