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Fire at Dunleith....Gift Shop Building Damaged

An early morning fire significantly damaged the gift shop building at Dunleith, a National Historic Landmark in Natchez. Fortunately, the fire was limited to the gift shop, an ancillary building at the rear of the property. I expect that the damage will be repaired. Fortunately, the fire didn't come close to the main house. That would have been a tragedy.

The Natchez Democrat

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Negotiations With the Lane Company Continue

The City's negotiations with the Lane Company of Atlanta continue. The company proposes an ambitious riverfront development with a casino, an extensive park, ampitheater, hotel and so on. Details will likely be released once the contract negotiations have been completed- possibly later this month. This project is expected to be fairly large, so its probable impact on the historic area could be enormous. It is possible that it could be well designed or even beautiful, but the dangers of a hulking elephant lurk in the background. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this won't be here tomorrow and awful forever. A fifty year lease is a very long time in an historic district.

The Natchez Democrat

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Negotiations With the Lane Company Continue

The City's negotiations with the Lane Company of Atlanta continue. The company proposes an ambitious riverfront development with a casino, an extensive park, ampitheater, hotel and so on. Details will likely be released once the contract negotiations have been completed- possibly later this month. This project is expected to be fairly large, so its probable impact on the historic area could be enormous. It is possible that it could be well designed or even beautiful, but the dangers of a hulking elephant lurk in the background. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this won't be here tomorrow and awful forever. A fifty year lease is a very long time in an historic district.

The Natchez Democrat

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I was unimpressed with the renderings published in the Natchez blog. A Country Inn & Suites? What were the Mayor and aldermen thinking? This is something you'd expect to see at Exit 7, not in the downtown historic district. Please try to keep us posted on this rhino of a hotel. Had it been a Westin or something like the Alluvian, the intrusion might have been almost worthwhile. This won't be.

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Bob Dean Purchases Historic Properties in Downtown Natchez

Bob Dean, the owner of the Eola Hotel, has purchased both the Prentiss Club and the Historic Natchez Inn from Buzz Harper. I expect that the Eola will make good use of the buildings, both of which have already had extensive renovation/restoration work. I'm still expecting some sort of announcement about a new chain affiliation for the Eola in the near future.

The Natchez Democrat

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Bob Dean Purchases Historic Properties in Downtown Natchez

Bob Dean, the owner of the Eola Hotel, has purchased both the Prentiss Club and the Historic Natchez Inn from Buzz Harper. I expect that the Eola will make good use of the buildings, both of which have already had extensive renovation/restoration work. I'm still expecting some sort of announcement about a new chain affiliation for the Eola in the near future.

The Natchez Democrat

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a few from the tour of gardens in May. Mrs. Spoody waste most of the pictures taking close ups of individual flowers. I only got a few that may be of some interest.

the Natchez Trace somewhere between Natchez and Jackson:

Natchezgardens-2007001.jpg

looking south in this ladies yard:

Natchezgardens-2007019.jpg

standing in the same spot looking north:

Natchezgardens-2007011.jpg

a few random ones around town:

Natchezgardens-2007010.jpg

Natchezgardens-2007009.jpg

Natchezgardens-2007029.jpg

Natchezgardens-2007036.jpg

Natchezgardens-2007039.jpg

Natchezgardens-2007037.jpg

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Eola Hotel Turns 80...

The Eola Hotel will celebrate its 80th birthday on July 3rd. Financially speaking, I think the hotel is doing well, but I'm not sure if the renovations undertaken by Mr. Dean have been completed. There were rumors of a chain affiliation for the hotel recently, but I have heard nothing to substantiate them. If the Eola is to affiliate with a chain, it should be chosen carefully. If you look at the pictures in the gallery in the article, you will note the elaborate building on the right with a turret. This was the Buttross Building, a confection from the 1880's which was swept away for a ballroom addition. Forrest Germany, who restored the hotel in the early 1980's, eventually sold the hotel. The current owner is Baton Rouge businessman Bob Dean. Dean also owned the Bentley in Alexandria before closing the hotel three years ago. I believe Mr. Dean's intentions for the Eola are good, though I'd like to know more about its future- i.e. marketing efforts, possible chain affiliation etc..

The Natchez Democrat

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More Hotels?

Natchez is about to get yet another hotel. Does Natchez really need a three story Best Western hotel at the foot of the hill where the Emerald Star casino is being built. I haven't seen a rendering, but the recent example of the over-scaled and unfortunate convention center hotel has me worried. If anyone sees a drawing, please post.

The Natchez Democrat

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Dunleith to Add Cottages

The owners of Dunleith, a National Historic Landmark, intend to build 11 cottages and one larger house on the property, probably near the back somewhere. While the house has served to some degree as a hotel, this will put it more firmly in that category. Doubtless, Monmouth Plantation has flourished as a hotel, and this property could too. If they are proceeding on this route, I would hope that they do a good job with the new buildings. I would hate to see the property marred by inappropriate construction. If they do this at all, they should be thinking along the lines of a Relais & Chateaux property. Anything less would be a shame.

The Natchez Democrat

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Too Many Hotels Going Up?

A few residents are questioning the number of hotel rooms currently under construction in Natchez. The Country Inn & Suites is under construction at the convention center and the Hampton Inn is under construction across the street. Furthermore, reconstruction is under way at the former Ramada Inn which is being rebuilt as the Emerald Star Hotel & Casino. A 60 room Best Western will also be under construction soon. While the Ramada will have 120 rooms instead of 160, the total number of new rooms entering the market is around 350. This could be absorbed easily if there will be new business coming along in the wake of the new construction. There is also rom for further attrition, but it's too much to hope for that a few outdated properties will soon close. I can think of several I'd like to see vanish overnight.

The Natchez Democrat

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Too Many Hotels Going Up?

A few residents are questioning the number of hotel rooms currently under construction in Natchez. The Country Inn & Suites is under construction at the convention center and the Hampton Inn is under construction across the street. Furthermore, reconstruction is under way at the former Ramada Inn which is being rebuilt as the Emerald Star Hotel & Casino. A 60 room Best Western will also be under construction soon. While the Ramada will have 120 rooms instead of 160, the total number of new rooms entering the market is around 350. This could be absorbed easily if there will be new business coming along in the wake of the new construction. There is also rom for further attrition, but it's too much to hope for that a few outdated properties will soon close. I can think of several I'd like to see vanish overnight.

The Natchez Democrat

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While there will always be a need for rooms at the lower end of the spectrum, outdated properties like the Scottish Inn and the Deluxe Inn ought to disappear without comment. Others like the Comfort Inn, Days Inn and Passport Inn serve a purpose, but are not exactly anything which would draw visitors to the area. I would really like to see the Eola renovated in a meaningful way, as I don't think it is meeting its full potential. Seeing a Country Inn & Suites as the hotel for the convention center was a major disappointment. I'd actually like to see Dunleith turned into a true luxury hotel.

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CCA Breaks Ground for $110m Private Prison

The Corrections Corporation of America, based in Nashville, will open a $110m private prison in Natchez in 2009. While I suppose that there are a few positive aspects to this project, I'm disappointed that Natchez would have to place itself in the position of vying for prisons. I would hope that a better economic foundation could be laid for the area. As the Governor noted, however, prisons are likely to be fulll and don't generally create pollution. I would still pose the question to Mr. West and the aldermen in charge of Natchez's future regarding what fhe future may hold in terms of other, better projects? I hope there is something else on the horizon besides a casino or three.

The Natchez Democrat

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Work Continues on Emerald Star Project

Work on stabilizing the river bluff below the Emerald Star Casino is in progress. The hotel has mostly been demolished and construction will begin soon on the new hotel building. I can't possibly see how this could be completed by February- unless the building is modular, cheap, or both. Until I see more of what this project will look like, I'm remaining skeptical.

The Natchez Democrat

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Work Continues on Emerald Star Project

Work on stabilizing the river bluff below the Emerald Star Casino is in progress. The hotel has mostly been demolished and construction will begin soon on the new hotel building. I can't possibly see how this could be completed by February- unless the building is modular, cheap, or both. Until I see more of what this project will look like, I'm remaining skeptical.

The Natchez Democrat

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Former First Baptist Church to be Converted to Condominiums

The former First Baptist Church, an early twentieth century landmark building in downtown Natchez, will most likely be converted to condominium use by its new owners. Currently, the interior is being stripped away and anything which can possibly be reused (not much, apparently- too many years of rain getting in) is being salvaged. Plans call for the building to sere as a common area for a condominium development. Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to find out much more about this proposal. Indeed, the proposal is not even firm at this point. Only after the interior demolition is complete will the true status of the building be known. It would be great to see this building preserved as part of a condo or apartment development. Downtown Natchez needs more living space and residents.

The Natchez Democrat

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More Private Meetings With the Lane Company...

Another private meeting with the Lane Company? I suppose this is going to be passed without benefit of public comment? I'd love to know what is being proposed for Natchez. Having seen the convention center hotel (more of a motel really), I do not hold great hopes for what may come. I'm well aware that the company has a fairly decent track record, but this does not necessarily mean all that much. If allowed, they could produce a project which would be gravely detrimental to Natchez for the next several decades. I hope the public will be allowed to voice its thoughts before a fait accompli is realized.

The Natchez Democrat

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Hotel Developers Like Natchez...

Why do hotel developers appear to like Natchez? The nearly 500 new hotel rooms coming on line within about a year could spell either boom or doom for the market. I predict the former, but not without a certain shrinkage in the number of existing properties. I'd like to see something at the upper end of the scale built to attract tourists with money. This last point is especially important. The upper-end tourist might stay at Monmouth or Dunleith, but there is little else in the way of an offering to the luxury market. I'm not suggesting that this should be overplayed, but I think there is room at the upper end which is not being currently addressed.

The Natchez Democrat

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It appears that the shyster CHARLES CATO, who is(was) the other "partner" in this shady deal, has sued the following entities -

Emerald Star Casino, Natchez LLC

Big River Enterprises, LLC

William J. Beyba

Lake of the Torches Development Corporation

AND Richard Lindsley

We don't want to speculate on just why this falling out has happened, but when you have two sets of crooks trying to get in bed with each other, things almost always get a bit smelly, and one set of crooks or the other bails out. This time, Mr. Cato beat everyone to the punch!

The case Number is 8:2007cv01408 and it was filed on August 9. 2007, in the Florida Middle Federal District Court.

http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-flm...case_id-203854/

I really hope for your cities sake that someone steps up and shakes the tree.

I was sickened by the photos of the carving of the hill, and it is my bet that money will soon be running out.

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Grand Soleil?

The casino name has now been changed to the Grand Soleil. The new name is said to have been derived from the chief of the Natchez indians. While I think the name is arguably more appropriate than Emerald Star, I have to wonder whether it might be a bit....pretentious? I expect the name change must have something to do with the lawsuits and Mr. Cato. As for the pictures of the bluff, they are sickening indeed. I can't possibly see how this thing is going to be built by the spring of 2008.

The Natchez Democrat

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