Why Would County Let Outside Company Negotiate Land Deal For Taxpayers?

At Cuyahoga County's request, Merchandise Mart Properties, the company that will be running the new Medical Mart and Convention Center, will lead the negotiation to acquire the land. Given that hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money going into this project, $40 million a year, why would the county relinquish its lead role in the negotiation. Jay Miller who covers Government for Crains Cleveland Business says there are some good reasons for the decision.