Development Investment Structure - for dummies! ??

[Wade Funk]

Good morning from Texas! 

I am continuing to chase a dream opportunity in my area.  Things are lining up and it is soon coming time to start making things concrete.  I am wanting to organize and develop a multi-pronged mixed-use development.  There are going to be many moving parts, but they are coming together.  One of the questions I have is, what are common ways to structure investments in this venture.  I will have to leverage private investors, hopefully no banks, but that's yet to be determined.  I need simple examples/advice on how to structure the deals/paybacks/etc so I can intelligently attract and retain investors in this project.

Thanks in advance!