JMI Realty, the master developer of the ballpark project, has finished foundation work on a 512-room Westin hotel in the new BallparkRedevelopment District near the San Diego Convention Center. But Tuesday, company officials said the firm isn't move forward with vertical construction on the project.

John Kratzer, president of JMI Realty, said in a statement, that "it is difficult to proceed much further with construction" because so many other ballpark-related projects in the 26-block area are hanging in limbo and must be coordinated with the hotel.

Lawsuits are holding up bond issues to raise the city's $225-million share of the ballpark project's total $450-million cost. The delay in the Westin also could have a negative impact on the Convention Center, which is undergoing a $216 million expansion slated for completion in September. The center is losing convention business because of a lack of hotel rooms.