NATCHEZ, Miss. – American Cruise Lines is finalizing plans to build its Natchez dock along thebein Mississippi River this year and give the city $500,000 to enhance Natchez Under-the-Hill.
Meeting Tuesday with the Natchez Board of Aldermen, Mayor Dan Gibson said ACL is spending more than $4 million to build the long-planned facility for its riverboats to dock. The company’s additional $500,000 could be combined with other funds the city gets to beautify the riverfront along Silver Street, Gibson said.
ACL, which leases the city-owned riverboat landing at the end of Silver Street, has been bringing its riverboats to Natchez since 2012. It docks more than 100 times annually with about 20,000 passengers, according to statistics provided by the company.
ACL’s wharf has been on the drawing board since 2020. Viking – the other cruise line that brings riverboat visitors to Natchez – has also had plans to build a separate dock on Silver Street.
ACL’s dock is being built at the family-owned company’s expense, but Gibson has said it’ll be available for the general public’s use to view the river and sunsets.
The Mississippi River mooring facility’s design and placement are subject for review and approval by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which regulates river structures, the Mississippi Department of Archives & History and the Natchez Preservation Commission, which evaluate alterations to historic sites such as the Natchez Under-the-Hill area.
ACL’s fleet of ships includes American Melody, American Serenade, American Symphony, American Splendor and American Heritage. The Connecticut-based company pays Natchez a per-passenger fee each time it docks in the city.
Gibson also noted Tuesday that work is nearly complete to rebuild the Silver Street retaining wall. The structure near The Camp restaurant and Under-the-Hill Saloon was deteriorating.
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