updated 11:59 p.m. ET Dec. 17, 2004

NEW YORK - Mayor Anthony A. Williams and District of Columbia Council Chair Linda W. Cropp will meet Monday to try to save the deal to move the Montreal Expos to the nation’s capital.

The proposed move hinges on the city having a stadium financing package that is acceptable to baseball in place by Dec. 31.

The two had not met in person since last Monday, a day before Cropp introduced a bombshell amendment to the mayor’s stadium financing plan requiring that at least half of the stadium funding come from a private source. Major League Baseball rejected the provision and shut down the team’s business and promotional operations.

Williams and Cropp will meet Monday at Cropp’s request, her spokesman Mark Johnson confirmed Friday night.

Cropp has also asked for a meeting with Major League Baseball “as soon as possible,” Johnson said. He reiterated that Cropp can call a special council session, most likely next week, if a “viable” proposal comes up.

Both Cropp and Williams took to the airwaves Friday, appearing on several live radio shows, and later speaking by phone.

“I’m willing to do anything to get a team here, within limits,” Williams said on WAMU radio.

Cropp said she is not worried that the delay could tarnish the city’s image as a place to do business.

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“I take exception with people who say the district is doing anything unusual,” Cropp said. “Debate, dialogue and lots of different opinions” are to be expected.

“I hope it’s saying that the district won’t just take anything” from Major League Baseball, she said.

Several private financiers have pitched different funding schemes that could pay for as much as the full cost of building the stadium, city officials said. Cropp said she is talking to a coalition of banks that would like to work with the city, but she offered no details.

The D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission has received about eight proposals, and is seriously considering three or four, Chairman Mark Tuohey said. One group has offered to invest in the stadium for a cut of the profits from curbside parking.

“I see Cropp and Williams on the same horse crossing the finish line,” Tuohey said on WAMU radio. “I believe this is going to work out.”

The city’s chief financial officer is planning to put out a formal request for proposals Tuesday. The office wants 120 days to review them.

Washington businesses weighed in Friday as well, sending a letter to Williams, Cropp and baseball Commissioner Bud Selig.

“We concur that partial private financing for the stadium would be optimal,” William A. Hanbury wrote on behalf of the D.C. Business Coalition. “However, the business community has already committed to play a defining role in funding the new ball park and our commitment to that objective remains firm.”

Hanbury asked baseball and city officials to return to the table and work to resolve the crisis.

Businesses earning more than $5 million have agreed to pay between $5,000 and $16,000 per year to help pay for the stadium construction bonds. Their maximum payment is down from $48,000 annually in the original legislation.

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