Centex among those vying for City Place. (Centex-Rooney Construction Co. eyes contract for West Palm Beach mixed-used development project)

Will $300 million construction contract be put out for bid?

While developers of CityPlace and West Palm Beach officials might be ready for the project's ceremonial groundbreaking on May 1, they aren't ready to start building.

The $300 million construction contract has yet to be awarded for the 600,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and theaters that will make up the first phase of the 72-acre, mixed-use development.

It's unclear whether the contract will be opened up to a public bidding process.

But at least two construction companies - one local and one out-of-state - are said to be seriously courting the contract, arguably the largest commercial …