Talks broke down a month ago with Marriott, prompting Bruce and Seth Berger to open negotiations with Sheraton, Hyatt Regency, Loews and Hilton. Several people familiar with the deal told GlobeSt.com that Marriott, for an undisclosed reason, definitely is out of the running--although Bruce Berger says no one is being excluded at this time. It has been speculated that Marriott refuses to guarantee the hiring of union employees, something the city wants. Berger basically is being very hushed about the ongoing talks to land a hotelier by Friday, a deadline he is confident of meeting.

Marriott spokesman Roger Connor says he doesn't think his company is out of the running. He says the Bergers fully understand Marriott's proposal and he expects them to make a decision shortly.

Hilton senior vice president Marc Grossman says Hilton probably won't fly its flag over the hotel, although it would dearly love to. "My understanding is that the Berger organization didn't like our deal," Grossman told GlobeSt.com.