The race to find an architecture firm for DePaul’s new arena in the South Loop is in its final stages.

As first reported by The Chicago Tribune, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority have narrowed down its search to six firms. The six firms – John Rohan Architects, Krucek + Sexon Architects, Ross Barney Architects, Grimshaw Architects, Rotterdam and Clarke Pelli Architects Š—ê each bring top experience to the table.

The deadlines set for the groups to submit their final designs for the arena is Aug. 27. A group of nine members, made up of three members each from McPier, DePaul and the city, will listen to presentations from the firms Sept. 9 and 10. Advising the nine-member group are Joe Caprile, Tom Ventullet and Thomas Beeby, three experienced architects who have contributed to some of Chicago’s biggest construction projects.

The report estimates that the final decision will be made by mid-September.

However, there are still many hurdles to clear even after a firm is chosen. So far, the community of the proposed site has been left out in the dark. McPier and the final group chosen will have to answer questions from community leaders.

Community leaders have concerns how traffic will flow through the neighborhood on the nights of events. There are questions of where loading docks will go and whether or not transit will be enough to handle crowds for college basketball.

Authority officials told the Chicago Tribune that the community will have its input after an architect has been selected.

There is also the legal process of having to acquire the land itself.  Crain’s Chicago Business reported that McPier and Lankside Bank continue to negotiate a price for the land while the case heads to an eminent domain lawsuit. McPier also has to acquire two other pieces of land, but lawsuits have yet to be filed for those.

Despite this, the arena is still on track to open by the 2016-2017 season. The deal for the arena was announced in May with DePaul putting up $70 million of the $173 million project.