Members of the authority's Development Committee will view presentations for a redeveloped Port of Port Royal from three design firms Wednesday in Charleston.

No decision will be made, as some board members will not be present to vote, said board Chairman Harry Butler. The presentations will be held in private, authority spokesman Byron Miller said.

The authority requested proposals from six firms last month, choosing finalists in Wood and Partners of Hilton Head Island, Seamon, Whiteside and Associates of Mount Pleasant and Design Works, which has offices in Charleston.

"It's going to be interesting to see," said Glen Kilgore, an authority board member from Beaufort. "I'm going to be very open-minded about it."

After more than a year of planning and legislation, Gov. Mark Sanford signed in September a bill closing the Port of Port Royal and instructing the authority to sell the property by Dec. 31, 2006.

In July, the Port Royal officials along with the Baltimore-based design firm Design Collective created a conceptual plan for the property that includes public access to the waterfront and a large hotel.

The plan was sent to planners by the State Ports Authority, Kilgore said, adding that he's interested in seeing how the three firms incorporate Port Royal's ideas.

"What I'm looking for is a weaving of ideas," Kilgore said. "The planners have obviously seen what the town of Port Royal has come up with ... I'm kind of hoping with the three groups to see three different approaches."

Port Royal Town Manager Van Willis said he was pleased the authority was moving forward, and was confident the ideas created by the town and Design Collective would be considered.

"I'm not anticipating any surprises," he said.

Willis said town officials have been told they'll be able to see the site plans as soon as the State Ports Authority has something on paper.

Kilgore said he expects the board to make a decision on a planner soon.

"I would imagine that once we select someone, that would be an opportune time for the Town of Port Royal to come take a look at it," he said.