That's no surprise given what is at stake: a $200-million makeover to restore the Beaux-Arts-style heritage building, renovate it as a tourist destination and improve service at what is already the country's top transportation hub.

Today, the city will hold a second public forum on its plans for Union Station, just days before an expected wrap-up of negotiations with Union Pearson, a six-company private consortium.

If a deal is reached -- and it would need to be endorsed by city council in early February -- Union Pearson would manage the face-lift and be responsible for day-to-day operations of what will remain a city-owned property.

Today's afternoon forum at St. Lawrence Hall is expected to include an announcement by the city of a public advisory committee. It would provide input on design and other aspects of the complex renovations due to begin late this year or early in 2004.

"People love the building and consider it a grand old lady," said Patti Simpson, the city's project co-ordinator for Union Station. "She needs some attention."

What's also getting attention in some quarters is the city's handling of the high-stakes negotiations for the renovation project.

The most vociferous critic is former Toronto mayor John Sewell, at the helm of Save Union Station, a citizens group. One of the group's key objections is what they see as the city's lack of full disclosure on the looming deal.

Last summer, a city selection committee chose Union Pearson as the "preferred proponent" for the Front Street building. The consortium includes Toronto developer O&Y Properties Corp. and New-York-based Jones Lang LaSalle, which worked on the refurbishment of Washington, D.C.'s Union Station and New York's Grand Central Station.

The losing bidder in the two-entry race was a Chicago-based consortium, LP Heritage. While details of the selection report have not been released, it is known that Union Pearson got higher marks for its financial plan and LP Heritage had the edge on its heritage restoration proposals.

"Why is this bid a better bid?" Mr. Sewell asked of the Union Pearson plan. "If you don't see the bids, how do you tell this is better?" He argued that the public needs to see the details of both Union Pearson and LP Heritage.

But city councillor Doug Holyday, chairman of the administration committee that will discuss the deal -- if a deal is done -- on Jan. 29, said financial details should not be disclosed while negotiations are in progress.

Once a deal is made, he added, "the financial aspects will be made public."

Union Pearson has released its broad concept: 11,700 square meters of retail and restaurant space, a boutique hotel in the station's west wing and a food court below the VIA Rail concourse to ease the flow of TTC, GO Transit and VIA passengers.

The Union Pearson proposal assumes a 50-year lease and a possible 50-year renewal, with the commercial revenue paying for necessary capital improvements.

Union Pearson spokesman Ron Taylor said yesterday, "I think we all remain optimistic we will be able to do it [a deal]."

One controversial item not on the table is any future development over Union Station or the railway tracks. City staff asked bidders for ideas on future development beyond any overhaul of the interior of Union Station.

But last summer, because of the political unease over the issue, council deleted any discussion of development from the negotiations.

"The real task at hand is to restore the station," Mr. Taylor said.