NATCHEZ, Miss. – The city Preservation Commission on Thursday approved American Cruise Lines’ plans for a new Natchez riverboat ramp on Silver Street by the Mississippi River.
The docking facility will replace the old launch located at the end of the Natchez Under-the-Hill street.
The new concrete launch is being constructed by ACL in conjunction with the city’s rebuilding of Silver Street so it won’t be prone to flooding by the Mississippi River.
In January, the Preservation Commission approved plans for Viking Cruises to build a pier on the Mississippi River. Viking’s dock is to be built between ACL’s and Magnolia Grill on Silver Street.
The Natchez Board of Aldermen on Tuesday agreed to seek contractors interested in doing the work to raise Silver Street along with the new ramp’s construction. Viking and ACL are helping the city fund the street’s reconstruction with $250,000 from each cruise company.
The new ACL ramp will be accessible to the public for launching boats, according to previous assurances from Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson.
The Natchez Preservation Commission regulates the design, restoration and construction of buildings and fixtures in Natchez’ historic district to ensure they’re architecturally appropriate.
Viking plans to inaugurate its New Orleans-to-Memphis river cruises June 25 to bring passengers to tour Natchez.
Viking won’t build a ramp like ACL but have an extended, covered gangway leading to a wharf built out on the water.
The two cruise lines are building their separate docking facilities to ensure they’re compatible as more riverboats are expected to dock in Natchez with more passengers, according to reports presented to city officials. Questions were raised at Thursday’s Preservation Commission about the confluence of large buses taking riverboat passengers up and down Silver Street that could make parking more difficult for other Under-the-Hill visitors.
Viking Cruises’ Natchez dock being built is just for berthing its 386-passenger Viking Mississippi cruise ship and will not be available for public use.
Viking Cruises and American Cruise Lines are leasing city-owned property for their boat landings.
The American Queen Steamboat Co. also brings passenger ships to Natchez and has indicated its plans to build a third dock.
Riverboats visiting Natchez are projected to increase in the coming months, bringing up to 2,000 passengers a week by this autumn to tour city attractions, according to estimates by the mayor.
After a year of no river cruises because of the COVID pandemic, ACL and AQSC resumed their Natchez visits March 2021.
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