The controversy behind a plot of land that is sought after by two separate groups will now be played out behind closed doors.
The Spectator reported last week that Hamilton police and the Hamilton Downtown Mosque have both been in negotiations to purchase land that is bounded by Wilson, Rebecca, Catharine North and Mary streets.
Neither side claimed to have known of the others interest. The land is provincially owned which means government agencies and groups get first dibs on it.
The mosque is interested in the land for an elementary school, new mosque and transitional housing while the police were said to want it for a storage building.
Superintendent Mike Shea told the Spectator last week that police have been in negotiations with the province for almost one year to buy the land.
The mosque, meanwhile, has been working with city councillors to move ahead to purchase the land.
 Police Chief Glenn De Caire visited the mosque last Thursday and Friday and said both sides have decided not to discuss the issue with the media.
“We have made a commitment to the mosque that I will not debate this in the public venue” said De Caire.
“We’re not going to discuss it in the media.” 
De Caire said the issue will be discussed at the Police Services Board on February 16.
Members of the mosque declined to comment.