Facing off are New Jersey's Michael Graves & Associates,Philadelphia-based firm Vitetta, and New York City's Robert A.M.Stern Architects and Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates. A judges'panel has until 4 p.m. today to deliver a recommendation toDelaney.

"Mayor Delaney is very pleased with all of the designs fromthese internationally known architects," Sharon Ashton with themayor's office tells GlobeSt.com. "We believe that our new mainlibrary will breathe new life into our downtown area and create newenergy in the heart of our community."

Jacksonville is funding the project through a $2.2-billion"Better Jacksonville Plan." City officials do not appear tooconcerned that each of the four proposals would likely exceed theprojected budget by several millions of dollars. That projectioncomes from a study of the four designs by Heery International,hired to manage the huge undertaking. Apparently, the Stern designwould be most cost-effective at about $62 million and the Vitettadesign would be the most expensive at $72 million. The mayor'soffice has ideas for saving money, such as gradually furnishing thestructure, in order to bring the chosen design to completion.