You know, the first time I saw the Alexandra Hotel, it must have been around 1986, or so.

It was a complete dump, even then.

Now, 20 years later, it still stands, a wreck.

The city of Boston has attempted to get the owner to either fix it up or sell it, with little success.

Things looked better when earlier this year when two prospective buyers put in offer to buy the building — reportedly for $3.2 million — but by October their financing had fallen through.

Possibly, things are coming to a close, as both sides have agreed to meet in Boston Housing Court on December 15th, for reasons that are currently unknown.

We can all hope a contract to purchase will be signed, the judge will sign-off on the deal, and this sad chapter in the South End's life will come to a close.

More: Alexandra hearing set for Dec. 15 - By Chris Orchard, The South End News (now online!)