Rather than demolish the Samuel F. Carter building, the structure will be converted into a downtown Houston luxury hotel, which will be opened and operated by JW Marriot.

An effort to renovate an historic building downtown into a luxury hotel may get public help, if City Council approves a $7.4 million loan Wednesday.

As my colleague Nancy Sarnoff reported last summer, when the city applied for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development money, Pearl Hospitality is planning to invest $81 million at 806 Main St. to turn the 22-story building into a JW Marriott.The structure, built in 1910, originally was known as the Samuel F. Carter building.

The city would pass the federal money to the developer, which would be expected to pay it back with interest. When the funds are repaid, the city is allowed to keep about $5.6 million portion for economic-development projects.

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