SILVERTON – A California hotel developer will take over operations of the Oregon Garden tourist attraction in hopes of rescuing it, according to an interim agreement.

Moonstone Hotel Properties plans a 100-unit hotel overlooking the Silverton attraction.

”It’s the hotel that’s going to make the money, not the garden,” said John Lattimer, Marion County’s chief administrative officer.

Marion County and Silverton officials said the deal might be the garden’s best chance to overcome the garden’s financial problems, although major creditors, including the city and county, might not be repaid in full for many years.

Under the agreement, Moonstone will begin managing the 80-acre garden starting in April. But the final agreement among Moonstone, the garden’s creditors, and a court-appointed receiver needs to be approved by a Marion County judge at an April 19 hearing. Any of the garden’s creditors could raise objections.

– From wire reports