Topic starter
11/12/2012 5:56 am
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports that Wayne Heller “has pulled out of negotiations to buy the Delta Queen riverboat and abandoned plans to bring the historic vessel to New Smyrna Beach as a floating hotel.”
Deal for Dixie Queen riverboat hotel in New Smyrna Beach sinks | News-JournalOnline.com
The article describes Heller attributing his change of plans to difficulties in negotiating a lease agreement with New Smyrna Beach:
“He claimed he had gotten support from the project from state and federal officials that he talked to, but gathered from his discussions with city officials they didn’t want the riverboat to come there. He said the biggest ‘impediment’ to bringing the boat to New Smyrna Beach was not the purchase price, but his dealings with the city.”
A different perspective is offered by one of the New Smyrna Beach officials involved:
“City Manager Pam Brangaccio, one of the officials who sat down at the table with Heller, believes his decision not to go through with the purchase of the riverboat was based on economics — but didn’t involve the city.
‘My personal opinion, my professional opinion — he’s not buying the boat because of the cost involved with renovating the boat, which is totally separate from the city,’ she said… Brangaccio said if Heller’s issue was with the city’s terms on the lease, he could have purchased the boat and kept it operating in Chattanooga.
‘It was a business decision on his part to not purchase the boat,’ she said.”
Before the New Smyrna Beach City Council voted in favor of Heller’s proposal, he was quoted as saying he would look into taking the DQ to other cities if New Smyrna Beach didn’t move forward with him. Now, he is passing on purchasing the boat at all.
“I think this whole thing has put a bitter taste in my mouth” - Wayne Heller
11/12/2012 6:00 pm
Well, if you're not used to it, Steam Cylinder oil can be bitter!!!
Now let us go forward with a plan to preserve the boat AND that's best done by getting her back on the rivers, running (IMHO).
I realize this is a very difficult thing to do in these uneconomic times. Perhaps we should wait to develop plans until after Dec. 21? 🙂
But then my theory on the Mayan Calendar is that the calendar project lost funding, and they just stopped there, like any government project that looses funding!
This looks like a Merry Christmas for the Queen!
Steamcerely,
David Dewey
11/12/2012 9:21 pm
Let's (not) make a deal!
I agree - if the Queen was such an attractive purchase for Mr. Heller then why didn't he do the deal and keep the boat in Chattanooga, etc. etc. etc.? In any case, this news comes as a great relief based on his earlier plans.
Wesley
11/12/2012 10:24 pm
Ah, Yessss! How sweet it is!
-JH
11/12/2012 10:36 pm
Merry Christmas all you DQ lovers!!!
12/12/2012 1:15 am
A VERY Merry Christmas indeed!!!! Still hoops to jump through and obstacles to get around, but at least we're finally heading in the right direction with the right people at the wheel!!!!
JOY!!!!
13/12/2012 6:28 am
DQ not moving
What wonderful news , and a excellent Christmas present for Chattanooga, and all involved. Joy sweet joy.
13/12/2012 3:40 pm
HALLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH... And steamboating shall reign forever and ever... HALLELUJAH!
Indeed, a wonderful Christmas gift to ALL of us who love the DQ and whose lives have been touched in various ways as both crew members and passengers throughout her 85 year history.
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and LONG LIVE THE DELTA QUEEN! And a special whistle salute to Leah Ann and Randy for steadfastly keeping the faith!
14/12/2012 4:33 pm
hallelujah, indeed!
Absolutely the best news I've heard in a long, depressing time. And a wonderful Christmas gift. Blessings to all you hard working people who have been diligently keeping the DQ ship shape.
Maybe the Mayan calendar wasn't finished because they went over a fiscal cliff. I expect Dec. 21 to go by with little fanfare, kind of like Y2K.
29/12/2012 3:51 am
Someone's looking out for her. Maybe there is hope yet.
Certainly takes away the empty feeling that was instilled in all of us when the first news of losing her to the Florida salt waters was announced. Happy new year to all that still care so much.
07/01/2013 7:02 am
Just on the DQ
Was passing through Chattanooga on Saturday and had a few minutes to stop by the DQ. It was refreshing to see her again. Then I just logged on to the forum (my time has been extremely limited lately) and saw that Heller pulled out. Truly great news!