But the deal, approved by the city in 1989, is now on hold.

Whether the union leaders will approve the the deal is an open question.

Since then, however, the plan has run into trouble with their members, who must approve the deal.

Council leaders said they expected the full body to approve the deal today.

If the deal is approved, a 12-member board will be named.

The commission finally did approve the deal an hour later.

The deal was approved by a vote of 2,966 to 2,862.

The deal was approved and closed on September 22, 2003.

The deal still must be approved by several Federal agencies.

The boards of each company met last night and approved the deal.