Was Memphis Visionary for Once?

[TRB]

A funny thing is happening in Memphis. What was once considered a waste of money and a boondoggle once underway as the costs soared and features cut is finding out it's quickly outgrowing it's current form and will need expanding. What is it? It's the Beale St. Landing project. A project concieved and started as cruising the Mighty Miss was deemed a dying industry. Now, a boom is underway. What had dwindled to one paddle wheeler along the Old Man is about to multiply like rabbits along the levees. In addition to the largest paddle wheeler Queen of the Mississippi being based in Memphis, a New Orleans outfit has two now with a third on the way. Bookings are strong and profitable. Now the major expansion is coming as Viking River Cruises bases in Europe is headed to New Orleans with 6 ships of up to 300 passengers each but without the paddle wheel feel and the Euro designed rigs it uses in Europe of rivers like Danube. They have told Memphis they plan on docking two boats at a time there. That's in addition to the other outfits. Other cruise lines are eying expansion along the Old Man as well. Memphis is having to eye a quick expansion of it's still new docking facilities a it could host up to 5 boats at a time With up to 2,000 passengers total hitting the bank at once.

Whats this got to do with Little Rock? Well is Little Rock and to a further extent, Ft. Smith pursuing the possibility to get visits again by the river cruisers? Would these towns build new facilities like Memphis did to add a modern docking facility. I feel like it would benefit both especially Ft. Smith with it's coming Marshalls Museum.

Has this been discussed down there. It sure would be nice to see river travel again grace our state.

[skirby]

A funny thing is happening in Memphis. What was once considered a waste of money and a boondoggle once underway as the costs soared and features cut is finding out it's quickly outgrowing it's current form and will need expanding. What is it? It's the Beale St. Landing project. A project concieved and started as cruising the Mighty Miss was deemed a dying industry. Now, a boom is underway. What had dwindled to one paddle wheeler along the Old Man is about to multiply like rabbits along the levees. In addition to the largest paddle wheeler Queen of the Mississippi being based in Memphis, a New Orleans outfit has two now with a third on the way. Bookings are strong and profitable. Now the major expansion is coming as Viking River Cruises bases in Europe is headed to New Orleans with 6 ships of up to 300 passengers each but without the paddle wheel feel and the Euro designed rigs it uses in Europe of rivers like Danube. They have told Memphis they plan on docking two boats at a time there. That's in addition to the other outfits. Other cruise lines are eying expansion along the Old Man as well. Memphis is having to eye a quick expansion of it's still new docking facilities a it could host up to 5 boats at a time With up to 2,000 passengers total hitting the bank at once.

Whats this got to do with Little Rock? Well is Little Rock and to a further extent, Ft. Smith pursuing the possibility to get visits again by the river cruisers? Would these towns build new facilities like Memphis did to add a modern docking facility. I feel like it would benefit both especially Ft. Smith with it's coming Marshalls Museum.

Has this been discussed down there. It sure would be nice to see river travel again grace our state.

It is a shame that Pat Hayes is no longer the mayor of NLR. I'm sure he would come up with a plan. If the Arts Center were to relocate to the north shore then a cruise facility located on the river where the sub is now located would be perfect. I have never thought much of the sub being located where it is.