Talks broke down a month ago with Marriott, prompting Bruce andSeth Berger to open negotiations with Sheraton, Hyatt Regency,Loews and Hilton. Several people familiar with the deal toldGlobeSt.com that Marriott, for an undisclosed reason, definitely isout of the running--although Bruce Berger says no one is beingexcluded at this time. It has been speculated that Marriott refusesto guarantee the hiring of union employees, something the citywants. Berger basically is being very hushed about the ongoingtalks to land a hotelier by Friday, a deadline he is confident ofmeeting.

Marriott spokesman Roger Connor says he doesn't think hiscompany is out of the running. He says the Bergers fully understandMarriott's proposal and he expects them to make a decisionshortly.

Hilton senior vice president Marc Grossman says Hilton probablywon't fly its flag over the hotel, although it would dearly loveto. "My understanding is that the Berger organization didn't likeour deal," Grossman told GlobeSt.com.