The city of Lakewood is getting ready to reshape the center of its downtown.

On Monday, Feb. 6, the western suburb released a 14-page request for qualifications (RFQ) to redevelop a nearly 6-acre space on the site of the former Lakewood Hospital. The hospital formally closed its doors earlier last year amid much community rancor. The Cleveland Clinic plans to open a new family health center and emergency center across the street from the hospital site; it's expected to be completed by mid-2018.

Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers said in a news release that the goal of the RFQ "is to generate responses from qualified developers who are interested in partnering with the city to re-imagine an entire city block of our downtown, in a manner that provides the maximum benefit to our community."

The goal is to recommend to Lakewood City Council by this fall a plan for development of the site.

The city announced it will host what's billed as a "community conversation" to discuss the multiyear process of transforming the site, which measures 5.7 acres. The discussion will take place at 7 p.m. next Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the auditorium at Lakewood City Hall.

In the release, the city said it will "partner with a development team to re-imagine the site consistent with the Lakewood Community Vision and the development objectives outlined" in the RFQ.

Redevelopment "will demonstrate the highest quality design and architecture, include a balanced and thoughtful mix of uses, and create Lakewood's finest multi-functional outdoor community gathering space," the city pledged in the release.

"This process is built to provide a framework for development teams to propose creative ideas that are market receptive," said Bryce Sylvester, Lakewood's director of planning and development, in a statement.

The city said interested development teams should go here to access the RFQ and to get updates throughout the process. A "Community Input" section has been added to the development website "to take feedback and provide a place for members of the public to ask questions," the city said.

The RFQ lays out a proposed project schedule that is as follows:

Feb. 6: Public launch of RFQ

March 17: Round 1 responses due

March 27: Invite developers to interview

April 18-19: Round 1 interview sessions A & B with panel

May 1: Announce Round 2 short list and send selected teams proposal guidelines

June 30: Round 2 responses due

July 18-19: Round 2 interview sessions A & B with panel

July 21: Recommendation from panel to the city

July 24: City and developer due diligence

Fall 2017: Recommendation to Lakewood City Council