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Aiken council advances Hotel Aiken sale after weeks of market outreach and public debate
Summary
The City of Aiken voted unanimously Sept. 22 to move forward on a first‑reading ordinance authorizing sale of several downtown parcels tied to a Hotel Aiken redevelopment; staff described a national marketing process, an Oliver Group proposal in due diligence, and scheduled developer information sessions.
Aiken City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 22 to advance an ordinance authorizing the sale of multiple downtown parcels tied to redevelopment of Hotel Aiken and adjacent properties.
City staff described a multi‑year effort that included hiring Colliers International to market the assets nationally, outreach at hospitality investment forums, and a request‑for‑proposals process that produced six proposals. "We conducted a true national search," consultant Tommy Tapp told the council, and staff said they narrowed proposals through interviews, site tours and follow‑up meetings before entering negotiations with the Oliver Group.
The council packet explained that the city inherited the properties from the now‑sunset Aiken Municipal Development Commission and that litigation and protracted marketing delayed redevelopment. Staff noted an appraisal for a remaining portion of the portfolio at about $2,500,000 and that earlier transactions and lease terms had shaped the current marketing approach.
Residents at the meeting raised questions about past purchases and the public cost of the property. Robert Branson told the council the city had paid roughly $9.5 million and that the apparent write‑down had left taxpayers with a large loss: "You—ve lost by over $5,000,000 on this deal," he said. City staff responded that legal expenses were lower than some commenters estimated and reiterated that the current process aims to put the properties back into productive use.
Speakers also pressed whether historically significant buildings would be preserved. Staff and the selected developer have said adaptive reuse and design‑review board approvals will guide rehabilitation; the council emphasized that the RFQ required preservation of certain structures. Staff said one structure (the Motor Court/Holly House) might be demolished under limited circumstances, but that other key buildings were part of the preservation strategy.
The council repeatedly stressed that the sale was not final: the Oliver Group remains in due diligence and the developer must return with plans and design‑review approvals. Staff also announced two public information sessions where residents can review proposals and ask questions: Sept. 29, 5–7 p.m., and Sept. 30, noon–2 p.m., both at Newberry Hall.
The council voted to pass the ordinance on first reading and authorized continued negotiations. The vote does not complete a sale; subsequent approvals, due diligence and design review are still required before any transfer or redevelopment begins.
