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Multnomah County and the Portland Development Commission are seeking ideas for one of downtown’s key development sites.

The two agencies have put out a request for proposals asking developers to dream up the future of four county-owned city blocks at the foot of the Morrison Bridge in downtown. The four blocks – known as blocks 1, 2, 16 and 39 – make up 136,110 square feet of surface space surrounding the foot of the bridge.

All four parcels are currently used as parking space and have no permanent structures on them. The lots are also zoned central commercial and within the Central City Plan District. Block 16 has a 235-foot height limit, while the rest have 75-foot height limits.

The sites have been pitched for various developments over the years. Most recently local consultant Ron Paul had pegged the site for the future home of his indoor public market concept, the . But no deal was ever made.

The RFP asks for a property acquisition plan, a general development concept plan and a list of relevant qualifications. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 9, 2011. There will be a non-mandatory property site inspection tour on Nov. 30, at 10:30 a.m.