On Saturday, the Michigan Wolverines football team appeared primed for a 23-21 victory and upset over rival Michigan State with under 20 seconds to play.

But then Michigan punter Blake O’Neill fumbled a punt, which was picked up and returned for a touchdown by Michigan State’s Jalen Watts-Jackson. The play capped a win for Michigan State.

For Michigan, victory seemed so certain and so imminent. But as the late Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over til it’s over.”

Austin is in a similar position to Michigan right now: The deal for Hy-Vee to acquire Oak Park Mall through a roughly $3.5 million deal appears to be a kneel down away from being in the books. But it’s far from done. That’s why it’s so important now for everyone to be diligent in getting the deal closed.

All parties have agreed to the terms of the deal, the Austin Port city unanimously approved the deal Monday, and the Austin City Council approved tax increment financing for the deal on Monday.

Looks like a done deal, right? Not quite.

Austin’s Director of Administrative Service Tom Dankert noted Monday that the deal won’t be finalized until all parties have signed the agreement for the Austin Port Authority to then take control and pass the property on to Hy-Vee. That’s expected to happen the second week of November.

It looks like a slam dunk, but this deal has been no cake walk. It’s taken a year of discussion and negotiations, and Craig Byram, the port authority’s attorney, noted Monday that’s because of how many businesses and groups have been involved. It’s been a complex process, and there’s always the change, however unlikely, that someone could change their mind before signing the deal.

With so many parties involved, we urge everyone involved — especially all the effected businesses — to stay diligent and sign off on the deal.

It’s certain people will question the deal and its cost. And those are legitimate questions, but the best option for everyone on 18th Avenue Northwest and the community as a whole is to finish the deal.

Most businesses left the mall months ago, so the Hy-Vee deal is currently the only option. Other plans, including the proposed welcome center through Vision 2020’s Gateway to Austin committee hinge on this deal. The current Hy-Vee site is one possible location for the center.

The port authority, city and all involved businesses deserve credit for getting the deal to this point.

Now after a year of uncertainty, it’s time to cross all the Ts and dot all the Is. We encourage everyone to do what’s best and finish the deal.