to give advice on how the returning American Base lands should be used.

The proposals, which range in cost from about $200,000 to $600,000, mainly involve top international planning and design firms as prime contractors, teamed up with Bermudian sub-contractors, Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons said yesterday.

One proposal, from Stanley G. Kennedy Urban Design Associates of Bermuda and LDR International of the United States, appears to be an equal partnership of a Bermudian and a foreign firm. The winning proposal is expected to be chosen in the next week or two.

Firms that bid on the work include ones from the US, Canada, and the UK. They have experience with large property developments and/or military base closures.

Assisted by an official from the Department of Planning, the contractor is to work with Government's utilisation committee to develop a master plan for the Base lands.

The plan would be less stringent than zoning requirements, but provide a framework that could be used in assessing development proposals.

More than 100 proposals have been submitted to Government from Bermudian and foreign firms interested in developing part of the 1,200-acre US Naval Air Station which closes September 1, or the already-closed 250-acre US Naval Annex and 17-acre Canadian Force's Station at Daniel's Head.

Dr. Gibbons has said leasing and development of the land will be important in covering new maintenance costs Government will assume, as well as the hefty cost of running the Airport. Bermuda would also like to use the lands to diversify and strengthen the economy.