Mayor Bob Duffy and County Executive Maggie Brooks continue to talk, hoping to reach a deal on the troubled Renaissance Square project before July 24 -- the date that federal funding expires, say project backers.

At a press event this morning, Brooks outlined what she called a compromise plan that included setting a specific date when the parcel set aside for Ren Square's theater would be turned over to the city. Duffy and City Council want the unfunded theater component dropped from the plan.

Ren Square also includes an MCC campus and transit center.

Duffy spokesman Gary Walker held his own press event this afternoon, in response to the Brooks gathering. Brooks and Duffy are making progress, Walker said -- the two last talked on Tuesday.

A recent meeting between Brooks and Duffy fell apart, however, when RGRTA reps showed up and refused to budge on the footprint for the transit center. Duffy and Council members want a smaller bus station.

"That is a key," Walker says. "That is a deal breaker."

In her compromise plan, Brooks asked Council to essentially go along with the transit center as-is and changes can be made in the next year, before the next round of federal funding expires. To paraphase Walker's response: fat chance.

Project backers need City Council's approval to acquire properties for the project and to transfer a lot on Mortimer Street to Ren Square.