NATCHEZ, Miss. – The city’s architectural review board on Wednesday saw plans Viking has for its riverboat dock being built in Natchez on the Mississippi River.
While the Natchez Preservation Commission approved the floating dock’s initial conceptual design, final approval is contingent on it also being OKed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
The dock — to be located at the end of Silver Street by the current boat ramp — is in the design phase as Viking prepares to begin cruising the Mississippi River next year to bring tourists to Natchez.
The dock will be large enough to berth the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi cruise ship but should “be as unobtrusive as possible,” said Natchez Planning Director Rico Giani.
The Natchez Board of Aldermen last month approved leases with Viking Cruises and American Cruise Lines for them to use the city-owned property for their docks. The companies at their expense will build separate landings for their riverboats. The two docking facilities will 100 feet apart near where the Isle of Capri floating casino was formerly berthed.
In addition to revenues generated by the leases, the city is getting $500,000 from ACL and Viking to help build an elevated street where the river frequently floods Natchez Under-the-Hill. ACL and Viking are putting up $250,000 each.
With the inclusion of the American Queen Steamboat Co. — which plans to build a third Silver Street dock — riverboats visiting Natchez by autumn 2022 are projected to bring up to 2,000 passengers a week to tour Natchez, according to Mayor Dan Gibson.
After a year of no river cruises because of the COVID pandemic, ACL and AQSC resumed their Natchez visits in March. Viking plans to inaugurate its Mississippi River cruises in August 2022.
Viking is building similar riverboat docking facilities at Vicksburg, St. Francisville, La., and the Houmas House near New Orleans.
Gibson has said the ACL dock will be open to the general public for viewing the river and sunsets but not for fishing. American Queen plans to dock its boats by the ramp in front of The Camp restaurant and Under-the-Hill Saloon.
In other action Wednesday, the Natchez Preservation Commission approved the placement of telescopic viewers along the Natchez bluff trail overlooking the Mississippi River on Broadway Street. They’re being donated by the Rotary Club of Natchez.
The commission regulates the design, restoration and construction of buildings and fixtures in Natchez’ historic districts to ensure they’re architecturally appropriate.
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