NATCHEZ, Miss. – The city Preservation Commission has approved plans for Viking’s riverboat docking facility to be built here on the Mississippi River.
The commission on Wednesday also voted to permit outdoor pavilions at The Little Easy and the Natchez Brewing Co., two dining venues on Canal and High streets.
Viking plans to begin its Mississippi River cruises this summer and bring passengers to tour Natchez beginning June 29.
The dock is to be built by the existing boat launch between it and Magnolia Grill at the south end of Silver Street. It’ll consist of an extended, covered gangway leading to the pier out on the water. Original plans were to have it just south of the boat ramp, but the “Little Mexico” site is considered historic and inappropriate for a dock, according to a report presented to the Natchez Preservation Commission.
Viking Cruises’ Natchez dock is just for berthing its 386-passenger Viking Mississippicruise ship and will not be available for public use.
A second docking facility is planned by American Cruise Lines for its ships to anchor ata boat ramp replacing the old launch there now at the end of Silver Street. It will be accessible to the public for launching boats.
The outdoor dining pavilion being planned for The Little Easy comes as movie producers John Norris and Tate Taylor also concentrate on making the Broadway Street railroad depot a restaurant. While the old train station’s renovations have stalled, the developers will “keep our focus on what that crown jewel can be,” Norris said.
He said a new chef has been hired and kitchen equipment purchased as depot renovations remain to be done for making its dining offerings “a lot more ambitious” than previously planned.
The Natchez Board of Aldermen last April approved leasing the city-owned building for Taylor and Norris to refurbish it and the adjacent property as a culinary and entertainment venue. The depot was built around 1915.
The Little Easy on High Street opened in 2021 but temporarily closed after it encountered staffing problems. The backyard temporary dining pavilion will enable it to seat more diners. The Preservation Commission approved it with a stipulation that the pavilion’s wood fixtures be similar in color to The Little Easy’s existing building.
The commission approved Natchez Brewing Co.’s pergola, a roofless structure to accommodate patrons wanting to enjoy its pizza and beer in an outdoor setting.
The commission also OKed plans to place three new benches on the Broadway Street observation deck overlooking Silver Street and the Mississippi River. The old wooden seats there now will be replaced by studier metal benches like those lined along the city’s bluffside pathways.
The nine-member Preservation Commission regulates the design, restoration and construction of buildings and fixtures in Natchez’ historic district to ensure they’re architecturally appropriate.
The commission delayed a decision on allowing Trinity Episcopal Church to post a temporary sign on its property to mark events this year commemorating the church’s bicentennial. It was founded in 1822.
Wednesday’s Preservation Commission meeting was the last for city Planning Director Rico Giani, who’s leaving Natchez next week to take a job in Charleston, S.C. He’s been Natchez’ city planner since 2015.
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