Mayor Bob Duffy has apparently withdrawn his support from much of Renaissance Square. According to the Democrat and Chronicle's website, Duffy told D&C reporter Brian Sharp earlier today that he wants the transit center "scaled down from a block-long enclosed facility to a turn-around with a shelter."

And, according to Sharp's article, Duffy wants the site of the performing arts center cut out of the project and made available for private development.

Duffy, Deputy Mayor Patti Malgieri, and city attorney Tom Richards had been reviewing the Ren Square plan, and an announcement about the results was said to be imminent. His comments today have county, transit authority, and even some city officials in a state of high activity and some confusion. City Council had not been briefed on his decision. Duffy told the D&C's Sharp that he told County Executive Maggie Brooks about his decision on Wednesday. Ren Square officials are holding a press conference at 4 p.m. today, and Duffy will talk with media at 4:30 p.m.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.

Ren Square officials and County Executive Maggie Brooks are shocked and confused, they said, over Mayor Bob Duffy's calls to revamp the project's design.

"I don't really know where the mayor is coming from on this project," Brooks said.

Ren Square officials held a press conference at 4 p.m. this afternoon.

Brooks pointed out that Duffy had voted to move forward with Ren Square many times over the life of the project and that 90 days ago, a city representative voted to move forward with Ren Square's final design.

Brooks and Duffy met confidentially on Ren Square on Wednesday, Brooks said, seemingly disappointed that the mayor has now apparently decided to go off-script.

Duffy's opinion doesn't change the course of the project, Brooks said.

Work is taking place on the site today, including asbestos abatement.

RBTL board chair Arnie Rothschild said he has "nothing but shock and surprise and huge disappointment" regarding the mayor's announcement.

Brooks called for Duffy to explain himself at the next meeting of the Main and Clinton Development Corp. on Thursday.

UPDATED: 5:15 p.m.

At a press conference this afternoon, a normally affable, effusive mayor appeared tense and uncomfortable while reporters grilled him on his new position on Ren Square.

Downtown has changed as Ren Square plans have dragged on, Mayor Bob Duffy said, and he's trying to protect downtown parking. Too, Duffy said he has been a longterm supporter of high-speed rail and believes it will be a reality in the region within five years.

Duffy said he did not believe that Ren Square officials could raise the necessary money for the proposed theater and that he was worried about "holes" in the middle of Main Street.

Duffy confirmed a recent meeting with County Executive Maggie Brooks and said that he told her that would not evade questions on Ren Square. A reporter asked Duffy if that meant he'd been avoiding questions about the project thus far, and the mayor seemed to backpedal, saying that he'd been clear about his position on Ren Square all along.

Duffy said that he's never felt like a true partner in the Ren Square project, despite the fact that the project is located in his domain.