Forest City has privately purchased much of the property it needs to build the project.

Forest City is now primarily a national real estate development company with annual revenues of about $500 million.

"Forest City doesn't do anything that's small, but they're good neighbors."

Forest City has not abandoned plans for the survey, however.

Forest City returned to the retailers on its wish list and asked them how they pick their locations.

Forest City plans to occupy one floor of office space.

But city and state officials said they have not decided what to do with Forest City's application.

She said Forest City would go ahead with the project only if the community was behind it.

"Forest City contacted us and residents near the site even before acquiring it," she said.

Forest City plans to cut the size of the complex by 6 to 8 percent, according to government officials and executives working with the developer.