Prospective developers in recent years have suggested more than 75 ways to use the historic Ala Moana sewage pump station in Kaka'ako. Now the state wants to hear from the public to help identify preferred uses for the state-owned property.

The state Hawai'i Community Development Authority has scheduled a public workshop Nov. 5 to discuss development strategies for the vacant pump station.

The workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the former Gold Bond building at 677 Ala Moana, suite 1001.

The long-abandoned pumphouse — with its bluestone building, green-tile roof and 80-foot tower built between 1900 and 1938 — has been envisioned as a museum, wedding facility, art gallery, office, restaurant, coffee shop, microbrewery, community center, health clinic and more.

But the mostly unsolicited development proposals either failed or were not pursued by the state.

Daniel Dinell, agency executive director, expects development interest in the roughly 4-acre site will intensify because of surrounding activity that includes the recent opening of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, and plans to build a Cancer Research Center, bioscience research complex, three residential high-rise condominiums, retail shops, restaurants, farmers' market and hula performance venue.

"We look forward to working with the community in shaping the future of this part of the Kaka'ako waterfront," he said.

State consultant Clifford Planning LLC said a developer could retain the pumphouse and build as much as two, 200-foot-high buildings fronting Ala Moana and Forest Avenue adjacent to the historic structure. Under a recent agency rule change, residential use is now permitted in the area.

Clifford also estimated that it would take $2 million to restore the pumphouse to historic standards.

The planning firm expects to incorporate public comments in a report to the state agency in January.

The agency would use the report to help define parameters of a possible request for development proposals for the site.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com.