IOWA CITY  The City Council Tuesday night voted unanimously to hire a consultant to study downtown Iowa City.

The information collected by Virginia-based Divaris Real Estate will be used to try to attract more retailers downtown as the area evolves following last years law that prohibits people younger than 21 from being in bars at night.

The study will cost an estimated $55,000. Thats up from the $50,000 disclosed last month because the consultant did not want travel expenses included as part of the initial figure. The city and UI will split the cost.

City Manager Tom Markus has said the study could be completed this summer.