Anniston gives hotel to state senator

Sen. Del Marsh

The Anniston City Council has voted to give a historic downtown hotel to Alabama's top senator free of charge.  The city council on Monday voted to transfer the Victoria Inn to Marsh Properties. The company is operated by Alabama Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh.  Under the conditions of the transfer Marsh Properties must spent at least $1.5 million to renovate the historic 19th Century structure and maintain operations as a hotel for at least 15 years.  Marsh says he and his wife are excited about the opportunity to renovate Anniston's historic structure and plan to spend "whatever it takes."  Marsh says the exterior will remain largely the same but the interior will receive a new contemporary look.