Mayor Greg Ballard speaks as plans for the North of South project were announced on September 27, 2010. (WIBC.com photo: Eric Berman)

A controversial multi-use project slated for the southern edge of downtown is one step closer to reality.

The City-County Council Monday night approved $98 million in city-issued bonds for financing the "North of South" project.

The vote was 16-12, with opponents questioning whether this is the right time fiscally to move forward.

The next step is the bond-selling process - that's slated to begin in a couple weeks.

MORE FROM WIBC NEWS:
» City-County Council Considers Major Downtown Project (2-7-11)
» MDC Approves North Of South Bond Issue (12-1-10)
» $150 Million Project Planned for Downtown's Southeast Quadrant (9-27-10)