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What is this?
Natchez canvas awaits right artist
Published Sunday, August 2, 2009
Driving into Natchez from Vidalia, quick glances up river and down river reveal sad sights — and a serious question.
How in the world is it possible that two of the most scenic spots along the Mississippi River still sit undeveloped?
Much has been written about the Grand Soleil Casino’s plans south of the Mississippi River Bridge.
The developers managed to get the former Ramada Inn Hilltop hotel reworked and they’ve completed tons of dirt work along the river’s edge, but construction progress dried up along with their funding.
Their development, however, is a private one, so it’s really their business what happens there. It’s a shame that it seems to have run out of steam for the moment. Hopefully, they’ll get their feet under them soon.
But the upriver glance reveals the city’s Roth Hill Road site. This is property owned by the citizens of Natchez.
Under the former city administration, a great deal of concern was placed on finding a developer for the site. Proposals were submitted and the city ultimately opted for a proposal from the Lane Company, doing business as Natchez Enterprises LLC or Natchez Gaming Enterprises LLC.
The developers wooed the city by painting pictures — aided by artist renderings of how the development might eventually look — in the city’s collective mind.
But it was the Lane Company’s presentation to the board of aldermen in December 2006 led by John Bell that pushed them to the top of the developer’s list.
Bell outlined a $48 million proposal that would be completed in November 2007.
City leaders heard a good plan and the assurance that it was going to move quickly.
But what sent the city to agree to the Lane Company deal was Bell’s assurance that the company was capable of quickly and completely financing the project.
In July 2007, the city signed a lease option agreement with the developers. The plan was for the city to allow Lane to enter into a long-term lease that would ultimately net the city more than $1 million a year in “rent” for the site once the casino became operational.
The cost of the exclusive lease option was $100,000 that had to be put in escrow until the deal was complete. The original lease option agreement was for a six-month term, but it was extended.
Now, two years after the original document was signed, all sides are still talking about the idea and construction has yet to begin.
Natchez Enterprises says its funding has fallen through and has blamed the national credit crisis for its funding woes. One has to wonder if the writing is on the wall and if Natchez Enterprises and the city are just delaying the inevitable.
The city has locked up precious riverfront property on a project that has lingered on for nearly two years past the initial opening date.
For now the site sits vacant with no definite timeline for construction in place and no solid funding either.
Roth Hill is a blank canvas, fully capable of being developed into a beautiful work of art. Natchez just needs to find the right artist.
Hopefully, the return trip from Vidalia soon will showcase a beautiful, bustling riverfront. Until then, promises and hope will have to suffice.
Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3539 or kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.
Comments
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on August 2, 2009 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Kevin. I remain convinced that our "city leaders" for the last 20-30 years are clueless about the tourism/recreational value of developing our riverfront. Their tunnel vision does not let them see past riverfront casinos,bus tours and a baseball field. Nothing else seems to register. But a few out-of-town trips would teach them what other communities have done with their riverfronts, creekfronts and bayoufronts. No wonder the out-of-towners constantly tell us that we "don't know what we've got" here.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on August 2, 2009 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very good OldGrandDad. Since we have lost all the industry that built this town something has to take it's place.
Posted by Idefinitelymight (Tom Scarborough) on August 2, 2009 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would view it as a blessing in disguise were the Roth Hill Casino never to be built. Instead, if that property is to be developed, I would like to see Water Street and Silver Street lined with restaurants, shops, and music clubs. Together the two streets could become a great little entertainment district and, in the long run, a more attractive and viable asset for Natchez than another casino. Of course this would require the individual who owns most of Under-the-Hill to release his death grip on a part of town that once teemed with tourists. And it would demand that the city tell Lane Company to hit the road, an act of political courage of which I don't see the current administration as being capable. All indications are that squadrons of flying pigs will fill the sky before either scenario happens.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on August 2, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tom, what you are describing is nice, but it doesn't HAVE to be done on Silver street. It could be done on the land the Democrat mentioned. It would simply take the interest of city "leaders" to use the land in ways other than casinos or grass growing.
Posted by EnKiKur (Marty Ellerbe) on August 3, 2009 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The BOA ought to ask Hiram Copeland what they should do with that land and how they should do it. I'm sure his first piece of advice would be to get a deposit first.
Posted by jlmorris (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Marty, I am ROTFLMAO!
Even though, the BOA does not have a clue, they think they have all the answers.
My, my, just think if Natchez had leadership that could see beyond today or next week. Or they could put the personal agendas aside long enough to serve all the citizens of Natchez.
Posted by Kaintuck (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When out-of-towners tell me "You don't know what you have here", it is always in reference to the fact that the area up and down the river is NOT over-developed. They say how refreshing it is to see a Mississippi River town that is not a crumbling eyesore of dilapidated buildings.... God is the artist and His canvas is green; God may like that better than another casino. Who have you guys been talking to?
Posted by jsnatchez (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
there's always a lack of realism in natchez, overselling the town's modest potential. we are a one boat town and that won't change because of the competition from marksville and vicksburg.
look to natchez's strengths: retail, medical services...products and services for the lower middle class and the poor. that's our past and our future.
we're adding retailers left and right. private sector stuff. natchez adams county government is unable to accomplish much. and vidalia's riverfront development is paved with state of louisiana gold...largesse not available on the miss. side of the river.
kevin...in terms of aesthetics. could you fix your a&p building. it looks terrible. your "fix" to the fallen brick was no fix.
john s.
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