NEWBURYPORT - Stephen Karp, the city's largest property owner and the man behind the plan to redevelop the city's waterfront, will soon make his first public appearance in Newburyport, Mayor John Moak said.

Karp, the president and CEO of Newton-based New England Development, is planning a visit to Newburyport, possibly in early March. though a firm date has yet to be set, Moak said.

Karp's staff and city officials are working on mutually agreeable dates, he said. "I don't know when it is going to be, but it is going to happen," the mayor said.

"It is just him trying to be visible here," the mayor said. "They are trying to set it up. It will be open to the public."

Karp began buying Newburyport property more than four years ago, investing in downtown buildings owned by Chuck and Ann Lagasse. But the billionaire's portfolio has grown far beyond the Lagasses' holdings, and now encompasses roughly $40 million worth of downtown and waterfront property.

While Newburyporters' interest in Karp and his plans has intensified, Karp has not yet held a meeting with the public.

The intention of the meeting, which is being pursued by Moak and other Newburyport officials, is simply an introduction of the "players" involved with New England Development, including Karp, Moak said.

Plans for development will not be presented, Moak added.

Karp owns all the private waterfront land between the Coast Guard Station and the Route 1 bridge along the Merrimack River. The eight acres from the Black Cow Restaurant to Michael's Harborside, called Waterfront West, is where Karp is planning to build a development that could include a hotel.

That plan remains unfinished, and Karp's local property managers, the Lagasses, say they continue to work on it, waiting to get a perfect, finished plan before any details are released. Karp is known to move deliberately, taking time to develop plans before moving on a project.

But despite that, many Newburyporters remain frustrated that there is so little known about what may be a major change to the city's downtown district.

Some remain wary that Karp, who made his money developing upscale malls and also owns most of downtown Nantucket, would change the fabric of the city by bringing in chain stores or high-end stores that would displace locally owned shops.

The Lagasses and others, though, insist that Karp understands the uniqueness of the city and does not wish to see it spoiled.

Moak said he wasn't sure what form Karp's visit would take but said he could address his development philosophy and introduce his team.

"It is going to be more of an introduction, an introduction of New England Development to the community," Moak said.

Karp and Ann Lagasse could not be reached for comment.

City Councilor Tom Jones said it makes sense for Karp to come to the city and introduce his team to the residents.

"At this point, the logical thing to do is to get to know the people of Newburyport and listen to their concerns to see if he can put those concerns to rest," Jones said. "I think he would find the people of Newburyport to be very welcoming to that. And I'd look forward to meeting the gentleman again."

The at-large councilor said it would also benefit Karp to start working with the residents in an attempt to make the planning process go more smoothly.

He said it is better to work with residents at the start than fighting them throughout.

"It has been my experience that it is good to work with the neighbors," said Jones, who is developing a 43,000-square-foot medical center near Anna Jaques Hospital.

Moak said city officials have been working to set up an introduction of Karp to the general public and officials will make themselves available for whatever day works.

The mayor promised in his inauguration speech earlier this month that he would make it a priority to get the Waterfront West development in the public eye.

He said both the city and Karp have a strong reputation for development, adding that there has been "hearsay, rumor and innuendo" about what Karp's development could bring to the city.

"So let's get it out into the open," Moak said in his speech.