NATCHEZ &8212; A legal appeal that is holding up construction of condominiums on the Natchez bluff has moved one step closer to a decision, attorney Walter Brown said.

&8220;The plaintiffs appealed the decision of the City of Natchez in its transfer of property to Mr. (Ed) Worley and Mr. (Larry) Brown,&8221; said Brown, former attorney for the city and not related to Larry Brown.

&8220;It&8217;s been a long transaction with so many facets involved.&8221;

Now, however, attorneys for the city and the plaintiffs have completed the record that goes to Sixth Circuit Court Judge Forrest A. Johnson, who will rule in the case.

&8220;We had already submitted briefs and argued the case but there was disagreement about what should be in the record,&8221; Brown said. &8220;We finally were able to decide that.&8221;

Plaintiff Neil Varnell said he knew the process was continuing but could provide no details. &8220;We know nothing other than that it is in process.&8221;

The plaintiffs&8217; attorney, Jim Bobo of Jackson, did not return phone calls made to his office.

The appeal cites the city&8217;s sale of the bluff property at the former Natchez Pecan Shelling Company to Worley and Brown for $500,000, less than the appraised value of $700,000, as against state law.

Brown has said another state law provides for such sales &8220;if the benefits from the sale more than justified the selling of the property.&8221;

Brown said in an earlier interview that the city views the condominium project as promoting economic development and revitalizing downtown.

Larry Brown said he and his partner in the project are anxious to get started.

&8220;But we&8217;re in no different position from the last time we talked about it,&8221; he said. &8220;It&8217;s out of our hands now, and we&8217;re just waiting.&8221;

Brown and Worley are not involved in the lawsuit, which is between the City of Natchez and the citizen-plaintiffs.

&8220;Our plans are exactly the same,&8221; Brown said of the condominium development. The project is expected to cost about $20 million and will include for-sale luxury condos.

The city transferred the property to the developers in late May, but the legal objection has stalled any work on the project.

Brown said he and Worley are anxious to get started. &8220;Construction costs are escalating every month we have to wait. We&8217;re ready to move forward.&8221;