Effingham Daily News
Published: October 06, 2006

St. Elmo Selected as Site of Riverboat Project
By ALTA MAYHUGH
ST. ELMO — The President riverboat is coming to St. Elmo.
The St. Elmo City Council Thursday unanimously approved the project and exchanged letters of intent with David Campbell of Effingham, co-owner of the riverboat.
The two main concerns the city had before it could approve the project still need to be worked out, but Mayor Randy Watson is certain they won’t be a problem.
City officials will continue to negotiate with the Church of Christ on Tower Road to purchase about 2 acres of land from the church for inflow and outflow traffic for the riverboat, which is slated to be east of Tower Lake.
Also, city Engineer Paul Muhs is communicating with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency regarding the city’s restricted status on its sewer system. Restricted status means the city cannot add any more hook ups to its sewer system, but the riverboat will need to hook up to the system.
Muhs told the EPA the city has plans to repair the sewer system, Watson said. Considering the riverboat project will take at least a year before it’s completed, the city has time to get its ducks in a row, he said.
Campbell said the next step is to get the lenders and investors lined up for the project. He and city officials also will work on details regarding the letters of intent.
Although it’s too soon to set a date, progress on the project should be made in 60 to 90 days, Campbell said. Once it begins, the riverboat could be completed in a year and a half, he said.
By their unanimous vote, aldermen demonstrate they are ready to move forward with the project and the future of St. Elmo, Watson said.
“I think we’re taking a step towards the future,” he said.
Campbell and wife Peggy purchased The President riverboat in August 2005. The President is a 300-foot long, 84-foot wide and 54-foot tall, five-deck riverboat that has been an icon on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The Campbells hope to develop the riverboat into a hotel, restaurant, convention center and entertainment center.