By Justin Averette

The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma City Council voted Tuesday to pay Strand Management $20,000 for operating the St. James Hotel last month.

Strand Management, with offices in Atlanta, Charlotte and Myrtle Beach, took over day-to-day operations at the historic hotel in July.

The company receives about $4,000 a month for managing the St. James, or 3 percent of gross revenues, whichever is greater.

The council approved paying those costs as well as about $15,000 more in operating cost, including salaries and utilities.

The city previously transferred approximately $85,000 to the hotel’s budget for various expenses.

Councilman Cecil Williamson questioned if the expense was something Selma could afford.

“I don’t see how the city can continue to pay them. That thing is a money pit. The city will go broke doing that,” Williamson said.

Councilwoman Angela Benjamin said Strand was promised at least five months, until Dec. 1, to turn things around.

“I think we need to honor what we said. Give them an opportunity,” Benjamin said.

She added the hotel has focused on bringing back “the people that used to stay there and went somewhere else.”

“I know they are out in the community,” Benjamin said.

Selma Mayor George Evans said representatives from Strand would be at the next council meeting to answer questions about revenue and expenses.

“Give them five months — take a chance to salvage and save the St. James for the future,” Evans said.

The company is working to hire a chef this month and cut costs with a new washer and dryer, online reservations and better key system, according to the mayor.

“It behooves us to take action tonight so we can keep moving and keep the doors open,” Evans said.

Benjamin, Corey Bowie, Susan Keith, Sam Randolph, Benny Tucker and Michael Johnson voted to pay the $20,000. Williamson and Greg Bjelke voted against approving the expense.

The hotel’s history dates back more than 150 years. During the Civil War, the hotel was occupied by union troops at the Battle of Selma. Following the war, Benjamin Sterling Turner, the first African-American elected to U.S. Congress, operated the hotel. In the late 1800s, the hotel closed. It opened again about 100 years later.