Schnitzer Northwest says it will reconsider the hotel componentof its $500-million development next to Meydenbauer ConventionCenter if that facility isn't expanded, and convention centerofficials say they won't expand the convention center withoutassurance the hotels will be built.

The city council will solve the Catch-22 by deciding whether itwill issue and back bonds for the convention center expansion. Ifthe council still thinks it's a good idea, the convention centerwill be expanded and the hotels will be built, say officials withboth projects.

Planned for a superblock adjacent to the convention center,Schnitzer's five-tower project includes two hotels totaling 625rooms and three office buildings totaling about one million sf, allatop a 141,000-sf retail podium that in turn will sit on a3,500-slip underground parking garage.