BELLE / SPIRIT OF JEFFERSON article in Courier-Journal

The November 6th edition of The Courier-Journal carried a lengthy article entitled Charting a Rewarding Course - Officials Consider Fiduciary Future of River City's Riverboats. The story tells of a 10 year master plan with such possibilities as selling the SPIRIT OF JEFFERSON -(which was erroneously listed as having been built in 1914) formerly the MARK TWAIN/HUCK FINN; placing a barge at the riverfront with a galley aboard to provide expanded food service for the BELLE; establishing a riverboat museum aboard the old Coast Guard Lifesaving Station which is currently serving as the wharfboat; air conditioning the BELLE, etc.

According to the article, both boats cost about $2 milliion to operate in the last fiscal year, requiring a city subsidy of about $380,000 to balance the books. The agency which operates the boats hired a marine architect, Will J. Nickum, Seattle, to develop a series of phased capital improvement recommendations for the BELLE to ensure that she will be in top condition for her 100th birthday in 2014.