The city of Spokane is seeking offers again for about 45 acres of surplus land it owns at the former Playfair Race Course site, in East Spokane.

The city bought the 63-acre former horse-racing complex in 2004 for $6.3 million, and had considered building a satellite sewage-treatment facility there, but last fall declared most of the land surplus and sought buyers for all but 15 acres. It received one offer for the property, but an agreement couldn't be reached with the prospective buyer, says city spokeswoman Marlene Feist.

Late last month, the city again advertised for offers for much of the property, which is located at 300 N. Altamont, between Trent and Riverside avenues. The city's goal for the property is to have a buyer redevelop the land within a year of the sale, creating jobs for the East Spokane neighborhood and providing economic benefit to the city, says Feist. In its advertisement, the city says special consideration will be given to offers that demonstrate a potential for attracting environmentally friendly businesses or that provide opportunities for local business incubation.

Offers will be accepted until May 15, she says. After that deadline, a committee will consider the proposals.

Feist says the city hasn't set a minimum selling price for the property, but envisions selling it as a single parcel, though she says it could consider proposals for a portion of the property.

The city is retaining 15 acres on the western corner of the property for storm-water storage and a small amount of additional land for right of way, she says.

At one time, Spokane County also considered the site for a planned sewage-treatment plant, but chose the former Stockyards site located near Trent Avenue and Freya Street for its project.

The city commissioned a study of the property by Los Angeles-based real estate services company CB Richard Ellis to determine the best possible uses for its site, which currently is zoned for heavy industrial uses. In the study, the company identified industrial applications and highlighted the location's nearness to rail lines.

Playfair closed as a horse-racing venue in 2001.