PORTLAND — A liquor license application set to go before the Portland City Council tonight is confirming the pending sale of the Eastland Park Hotel.

The license applicant is RockBridge Capital LLC of Columbus, Ohio, a hotel investment firm.

Tonight’s action follows reports that the 85-year-old landmark hotel in Congress Square is under contract to RockBridge Capital. One of the current owners, Magna Hospitality Group, confirmed the pending sale this week to The Forecaster, but declined to provide further details.

A spokesperson for RockBridge Capital declined to comment on the matter this afternoon.

The expected sale would represent a significant investment in one of the state’s largest lodging properties, the head of the Maine Innkeepers Association said today.

“Anytime a property like that sells in Maine, it’s a huge thing,” said Greg Dugal, the group’s executive director.

The 202-room Eastland Park has been for sale since last fall. Next to the 239-room Holiday Inn by the Bay, it has the largest conference space in the city.

On its website, RockBridge said it partners with strong hotel operating companies and premium brands. That led Dugal to speculate that the Eastland Park, which is an independent hotel, could be converted to a nationally recognized chain hotel.

“People like brands and they like new products,” Dugal said. “In terms of marketing and bookings, it pays to have the power of a brand.”

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