The announcement came after hours of secretive talks about the mall and a competing spot behind Tower City, and one day after Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., the county's private sector partner, told The Plain Dealer it would reconsider a third site in the Flats.

Fred Nance, the lawyer negotiating for the county, said Thursday MMPI executives promised to meet with Flats developer Scott Wolstein because they did not know that commissioners would be picking a site at the meeting.

"This wasn't a well-choreographed play," Nance said.

MMPI officials said they are convinced the mall site is close enough to downtown attractions to boost chances for success.