MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis City Council on Tuesday questioned why the city had yet to purchase the Sheraton Hotel, nearly a year after committing to the project.

"I've had questions from my constituents since budget about how we can't afford to raise union wages or get people up to $40,000 a year, but we can afford to buy a hotel for $30 million," explained Councilmember Jerri Green. "Have we even bought it? I can't answer those questions."

Attorneys said the deal is a very complex transaction that involves twelve different entities.

"It's not just a purchase of real estate. It's not just a purchase of the hotel," said attorney Andy Jones with Burch, Porter, and Johnson. "You are purchasing an ongoing business."

As FOX13 had reported , the city voted to purchase the property in

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