CLEVELAND -- The mayor of Cleveland says a medical mart is now a done deal after a unanimous vote by City Council Monday night.

Ultimatums and public criticism threatened to derail negotiations with the city to bring a medical mart to Cleveland, but the City Council made its support clear, approving the sale of Mall B for a medical mart and new convention center.

It clears the way for a project that promises to revive the city's economy, starting with immediate plans to renovate Public Hall.

Using money from the recent sales tax hike, Cuyahoga County will pay the city $20 million for the site.

While Public Hall will remain, the convention center will be replaced by a new complex that includes the showplace for medical products.

Not all of the money the city receives will go toward the project. Officials said $2.5 million will be used to renovate Perk Park and another $2 million will go toward a scholarship fund for Cleveland school students.

With City Council's approval, the plans are one step closer to becoming a reality.

"Unless something unexpected happens, it's a deal now," said Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson.

With public funding and a site in place, Cleveland should maintain the advantage over other cities hoping to build a medical mart.

The latest, Nashville, Tenn., is working with an MMPI competitor from Dallas.

But it took Cleveland almost four years to get to this point.

"I'm pretty sure it will take them some time too. We'll probably be up and running by that time," said Jackson.

MMPI is expected to break ground for the project by next year. It can back out of the deal any time before that but has said repeatedly that it wants to stay ahead of the competition, and that Cleveland, with its renowned medical community, is the best place for a medical mart.