NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez has not yet closed a deal to transfer the ownership of Brumfield Apartments to New Hope Missionary Baptist Church’s non-profit housing development organization, but the plan is still on track, Mayor Butch Brown said.

“(The church) has boards, and we have boards, and (they have) lawyers, and we have lawyers, and there are banks, and they have lawyers,” Brown said. “It’s hard to get all those people in the room.”

Brown had said last week that the deal would close this week, but he said Tuesday that it will likely be after the first of the year before paperwork is finalized.

Brown would not divulge the exact sale price until the paperwork is completed.

Brown said he wanted to sell to Bishop Stanley Searcy of New Hope because he trusts his operation.

“(Brumfield) started off like gangbusters, but the level of management degraded, and it had to be closed,” Brown said. “Searcy’s operation doesn’t allow that. He has a pretty hands-on style of management.”

The church plans to operate the apartments as low-income housing.

“When the paperwork is clear, then we’ll go into developing that project,” Searcy said. “We’re looking forward to partnering with the city.”

Searcy said funding for the project has not been finalized.

The church non-profit is also working to complete Washington Apartments, 30 units of affordable housing located next to New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

Brown said he’s anxious for the Brumfield project to get off the ground.

“We’re excited about the possibility of saving Brumfield School,” he said. “We want to keep our landmarks strong and vibrant. If we can keep our enthusiasm level high, we can get this thing done.”