Rhaglan Hospitality, LLC is closing in on purchasing the St. James Hotel.

The Selma City Council approved a resolution to extend the original agreement of the St. James Hotel to 60 days because of a title survey the Hilton Franchise, LLC requested on Nov. 13. Attorney Harry Gamble said the survey, which will cost $10,000, should be done by the end of the month. The extension runs into January.

The council also passed two ordinances for sale of the property and lease of Phoenix Park as a parking space. Rhaglan is planning to renovate the historic hotel.

Councilwoman Angela Benjamin was the only council member who opposed the sale. Selma resident Sylvia Smith was also against the sale.

“It’s not necessary to take the park,” Smith said. “There are parking spaces on the river. How well does the city and the citizens come out of this?”

Gamble said he got where Smith was coming from, but he saw the bigger picture.  He also said $300,000 came extra because that amount will fix the mold.

“I understand the lady’s concern,” Gamble said. “Either we make a showcase of the hotel or it falls apart.”

Councilwoman Susan Youngblood agreed with Gamble.

“The best thing we can hope for is have a vibrant hotel,” Youngblood said. “There’s no other parking site than Phoenix Park.”

Gamble also pointed out the positives of having Hilton owning the St. James Hotel. The American South Real Estate Fund LP (ASREF) has prepared to loan up $2,533,200 for Rhalgan to buy the hotel.

“The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages,” Gamble said. “It’s a financial boon for Selma. It’s an advantage to have Hilton owning this beautiful hotel. He has to make sure this works or he’ll take a big financial hit. If Hilton’s going to be behind this, it has to work.”

The St. James Hotel was built in 1837, with the last renovations completed in 1997.