At issue this time is not a failure to come to negotiation terms--which, insiders told GlobeSt.com, sunk Vornado's bid just about one month ago. Now, according to published reports, it's purely dollars and cents and an apparent doubt on the part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that Silverstein Properties will be able to raise the cash needed by end of day today.

While dollars are the sticking point now, the negotiations have never been about bid numbers. Silverstein's $3.22-billion bid was only a bit short of Vornado's $3.25-billion offer. A source close to negotiations said that all of the bidders are clustered closely together.

The Port Authority, which owns the center, put out requests for bids early last spring for a company to lease, manage and operate the complex for a 99-year term in what turned out--initially at least--to be a speedy and heated process. The complete package bidders scrambled to claim includes the Commodities and Exchange Center and Five World Trade Center.

Eight initial bidders entered the fray to take the property, a group that was narrowed down to four finalists this past December. Of the leading contenders, only Silverstein and a joint venture of Boston Properties and Brookfield Properties now remain.