“When we picked Gebhardt, we were shooting for the moon,” said Ald. Keith Furman, 19th District. “And I feel good that we tried, but ultimately there were just too many complications.”

After learning that its planned building technique to use an engineered wood frame is not yet allowed under state law, Gebhardt proposed two new proposals to use steel and concrete instead. One would cost an extra $500,000; the other, an extra $1 million.

Both of the new proposals would have separated the low-cost housing units from the other units.

Ald. Mike Verveer, 4th District, said the primary driver of the decision was concern over the modifications needed to the podium being too costly and causing delays for the opening of the garage, which is slated to open Nov. 1. Verveer said the segregation of the units also factored into the decision, but the main focus was the construction difficulties.

“The cost and timing were such that we made the very difficult decision tonight to move on because we just couldn’t see a way that we could realistically get the proposed Gebhardt building to fit the podium,” Verveer said.