City officials said Tuesday they will delay action on the proposal to surplus three buildings near City Hall.
Stacy Richardson, chief of staff to Mayor Andy Berke, said the staff still does not have all the answers to questions raised about the plan.
She said the staff is still convinced that moving the buildings to the private market as part of the Innovation District would be the best direction.
She said some of the buildings are less than 50 percent occupied by city departments.
They are the City Hall Annex across 11th Street from City Hall, the former Water Company building at 10th and Lindsay, and the former wellness building at Houston Street.
Councilman Jerry Mitchell said the idea to make the buildings available - especially to minority and female entrepreneurs - is "very exciting." He said, "This is our opportunity to step up and do something about it." But he said that "more clarity and transparency is needed for us and for the public."
Councilman Chip Henderson said, "This could be a great opportunity, but we certainly need all the facts so that we can make good decisions."