The Spokane City Council tonight plans to decide whether to help River Park Square’s developers secure a $22.65 million federal loan.

After more than three years of public debate, council members expect to vote on the loan aimed at redeveloping the downtown shopping center.

If approved, the money would come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money would be loaned to the city, which then would loan the money to the developers.

The council’s vote is likely to come before the city gets final word on the loan from HUD. The agency has given its preliminary approval.

Council members held two public hearings on the proposal last week. They don’t plan to take public testimony tonight.

A briefing for the council begins at 3:30 p.m. in the lower-level conference room of City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. , DataTimes