City Hall is finding significant interest as its seeks developers to replace the Richmond Coliseum and undertake other developments in Downtown.

Representatives of 23 companies registered by the Nov. 29 deadline on a special website the city set up to provide information and receive questions about the potential $500 million project, it was disclosed Wednesday.

Lee Downey, the city’s chief development officer, earlier said he expected only four or five requests.

He said interest is not the same as a bid. He said the city would learn in mid-February when proposals must be in how many are interested.

“Still, this is a good sign,” he said, that there should be competition for the right to win the project.