Developers eye Ford plant, funding timeline looms.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

With $15 million on the line, Richmond's Redevelopment Agency has stepped up the timetable to find a new developer for its historic Ford assembly plant.

Richmond wants to enter into exclusive negotiations with a developer and begin rehabilitation work on the 561,000-square-foot buikling by late November 2002. That schedule is mindful of the fact that the city only has until December 31, 2002 to use $15 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds on the former Ford plant, after which time, the funds vanish.

At least one developer -- Stan Davis -- says he is still thinking about renovating the 23-acre site. 'We're still looking at it," he said. "If …