He and city officials said the new bid was worth nearly $90 million.

The new bid raised the offer to $31 a share, from $30.

The city will seek new bids on the site later this summer, she said.

In early January 2006, they were trying to get new bids on construction.

However, the new bid was far less generous than the original one.

The company plans to announce the new bid today, these people said.

Analysts said the new bid was not likely the last.

That strategy may still be at work in Johnson's new bid today.

The new bid, made after the market closed, is for $60 a share.

A new bid at yesterday's price of 259p would cost £160m.