The Presidential Blog

Old Casino Boat Moved to Alton

2008-10-20T21:51:00.000-07:00

Old casino boat towed to Alton
By CYNTHIA ELLIS
October 9, 2008 - 10:55PM

ALTON - One of the country's first floating casinos is docked east of the Clark Bridge, where it will spend the next four to six weeks being dismantled by a local scrap company and then moved 85 miles inland.

Patterson Structural Movers Inc. towed the former President Casino up the Mississippi River on Thursday from Mike's Inc. in Wood River to Azcon Scrap Co. in Alton.

David Campbell, one of the steamboat's owners, said crews would disassemble the five-story vessel into 15 sections so that it can be moved to St. Elmo, Ill., where it will be turned into an 80-room hotel, convention center and museum.

Campbell said the 300-foot long, 84-foot-wide and 65-foot-tall vessel would be placed on piers in a lake so that it would not move. He said the project is being done by a group of investors with assistance from St. Elmo."

It will be permanently moored in Tower Lake along Interstate 70," Campbell said. "It's going to be a big boost to the economy there.

"Plans are to preserve the steamboat's historical integrity, he said, and turn it into a destination place."We want to renovate it so that it's representative of the 1940s and '50s era," Campbell said.

He said initial plans were to keep the boat near the Mississippi River, but no cities showed interest in the project. St. Elmo conducted a feasibility study and determined that it would be a good project for the community, he said.

Campbell said that St. Elmo is investing $2 million in the project for infrastructure work, which will include roads, sewer, water lines, a parking lot and lighting.A group of seven people has invested in the project, and although several of them came to watch the vessel be towed to the scrap yard, they did not want to comment about the project, other than to say it's going to be a boost for St. Elmo.

"A lot of people didn't think this would ever happen," one of the investors said. "You just have to envision what it will be.

"As the boat pulled into the scrap yard, it attracted a lot of attention from onlookers. The stacks could be seen by drivers along River Heritage Parkway (Illinois Route 143), peeking above the Wood River Levee.

Many were curious as to why the boat was docked in Alton, and others simply were interested as to why so many camera crews were around.

A crew from the Discovery Channel cable television network was on site and aboard the vessel to film the move for a program called "Mega Moves.

" The crew will document the entire process, which will air following the start of the new season in January.

There also is interest in making a historical documentary about the vessel, which includes telling the history of not only the casino, but the people who entertained the masses.

"The last band to play on it was U2," Campbell said.

Other musical artists who performed aboard the venue include Louis Armstrong, Tina Turner and Arlo Guthrie.

Campbell said he purchased the vessel, which was built in 1923, about five years ago. He moved it about two years ago from Memphis, Tenn., to Mike's Inc., where it remained until Thursday.

The boat once served along the Ohio River. In 1933, it was brought to St. Louis, where it opened as a passenger steamship and later became an entertainment vessel. President Casinos in Davenport, Iowa, opened it as one of the country's first gaming vessels in 1991.

Campbell said that during the next three weeks, work would take place inside the boat. Starting in the third week, he said, crews would begin dismantling the vessel, which would be more noticeable.

"It has to be moved to St. Elmo by the end of December," Campbell said.Campbell said once the pieces are relocated, the vessel would be reassembled and renovation work would start.

"If everything goes as planned, we should be open by the end of next year," he said.

cynthia_ellis@thetelegraph.com

The President is Moving Up the River

2008-10-20T21:46:00.000-07:00

The President riverboat was moved Thursday from its quarters at Illinois 3 and Illinois 143 at Alton to an area about a mile north to be taken apart. The riverboat is to then be moved to St. Elmo, where it will be reassembled and refurbished, then placed on Tower Lake along the north side of I-70 near the St. Elmo interstate interchange.
This look at the riverboat is when it is being moved through the locks at Alton on its way to where the work began.

October 10, 2008 - 9:43PM
STAFF REPORT
The Telegraph

ALTON - Jeremy Patterson, who with his father owns Patterson Structural Movers Inc., tugs on a cable Friday as he walks through Mississippi River water to attach a tow cable to the rear of the former President Casino on the Alton riverfront.

The five-story boat, which will be cut into pieces and shipped to St. Elmo, Ill., to be reassembled as a hotel, convention center and museum, was stuck in the mud about 100 feet shy of its docking point at the Azcon Scrap Co. facility.

Duncan Bulling, who is directing an episode for The History Channel cable TV program called "Mega Movers," shoots video of Patterson as he and a crew of photographers document every moment of the move.

Bowers Towing's large rig had its wheels airborne as it worked in conjunction with two bulldozers and a track hoe to pull the boat free from the mud.After a morning of preparation, the attempt to free the boat failed when a cable attached to a bulldozer broke under the strain.

City Officials Hone In On Bringing Riverboat To Town

2008-10-20T21:35:00.000-07:00

Published: October 07, 2008 03:10 pm
City officials hone in on bringing riverboat to town
Jackie Gorski, Effingham Daily News

ST. ELMO — City officials are getting closer to bringing the President riverboat to town.

The city’s attorney, Bill Austin, presented a proposal Monday he had drafted of an agreement between the city council and David Campbell of Effingham, who is co-owner of the riverboat, that outlines the responsibilities of the city and the riverboat owner in the project.

Mayor Jayson Porter told the council he wanted commissioners to look through the proposal and see if they had any questions or wanted to change anything in the proposal before it is signed. Changes, however, would have to be presented to other members of the council before being implemented into the proposal.

Once the council signs off on the agreement, it will be forwarded to Campbell, who also will have a chance to bring up possible changes. “It’s going to be hard to get a proposal everyone’s going to like,” Porter said. The city council will hold a special meeting next Monday at 7 p.m. at city hall to discuss the proposal once the council has had a chance to review it. Discussion about the possible lease or purchase of the church property where the boat will be located also was recessed until Monday’s special meeting.St. Elmo officials have been working with Campbell for about three years in order to bring the President riverboat to the city.

Campbell told the council in an Aug. 12 special meeting the funds to actually transport the boat to the city has been raised and he was still working on getting funds to restore the boat.

In other business, the board also:
• Awarded Brad Williams with the Citizen of the Year Award.
• Learned the building of the boat dock on Tower Lake has been placed on hold because of problems the city is facing regarding ownership of the land where the city was planning on placing the dock.

Jackie Gorski can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 128 or at jackie.gorski@effinghamdailynews.com.

The President Riverboat Moves Closer to Reality

2008-10-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

Published: September 15, 2008 12:26 pm
Riverboat moves closer to reality
Jackie GorskiEffingham Daily News

ST. ELMO — It’s been three years, and after many meetings, the effort to bring The President riverboat to St. Elmo is much closer to actually happening.During a special meeting of St. Elmo City Council Friday evening, David Campbell of Effingham, co-owner of the boat, updated the council about status of the project.

According to Campbell, the total cost of the riverboat project is about $9 million, including transportation of the boat from Alton to St. Elmo and restoration of the riverboat to the 1930s-1940s era. Campbell told the council the $4.5 million it would take to transport the boat has been raised. Campbell also said he is talking to three different banks regarding loans for the other $4.5 million. However, he said he may not know for certain about the remaining funds until after the boat has been transported to St. Elmo.Campbell did say if the loans cannot be obtained, he’ll make sure the city doesn’t take the hit, adding he will eliminate certain items now included in the project.

Currently, Campbell is planning to house about 80 hotel rooms, a convention center, a meeting room, lounge, museum and gift shops inside the riverboat. He also is looking to add some amusement-type items to the project, but said he doesn’t want to commit to anything yet because funding for those items are not secure.

The President is currently dry docked in Alton waiting for the OK to be transported, Campbell said.Before transportation can take place, Campbell’s attorney, St. Elmo’s attorney and a representative for the city’s tax increment must meet and work out the overall plan. In addition, the city must secure a land deal with Church of Christ of Tower Road for two acres of land where the boat will be located, said Mayor Jason Porter. The original option to buy agreement between the city and the church has expired. City officials also will have to determine the amount of TIF funds it can bond out for the project.

Campbell indicated, however, the clock is ticking since the boat needs to be dismantled, transported to the city and reassembled by December, which will take about two months to accomplish.Discovery Channel’s “Mega Movers” plans to film the transportation of the riverboat from Alton to St. Elmo. The show began filming in the St. Elmo area this past week, taking various location shots. The documentary-type show will feature an hourlong episode of the move, which could be aired sometime in January. Usually, the television show features two 30-minute documentary-type moves in each episode, but the move of such a large riverboat was such an unusual project the show decided to focus solely on that move in one episode. Campbell said the production is scheduled to be completed in December.

Campbell added if movement is made on the project soon, the permitting process from the state of Illinois could hold it up even more.“I’m glad the project is moving forward,” Porter said.

Jackie Gorski can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 136 or at jackie.gorski@effinghamdailynews.com.

2007-03-09T21:22:00.000-08:00

St. Elmo Devonian News
Published: December 28, 2006

Happy Holidays to Everyone!
We hope that everyone had a great Christmas and will have the best New Year ever! We are working to make 2007 a very good year for all of St. Elmo and the surrounding area. We thought it was time to give an update on the President Riverboat project.
Now that we have St. Elmo as a home for this wonderful historic landmark, we have been working daily with either a city official, state official, attorney, engineer, consultant, university, construction company and some private investors. Yeas, we are proud to announce that we have some local investors that are now part of the President Riverboat project. This really makes us feel like we have great local support for the project.
I am sure most of you have seen that some land clearing has begun at Tower Lake. The city engineer has been surveying the area and soon plans to map out the sewer, water, lift station and dump station locations. We and city officials have met with some economic development people and have put in motion the paperwork for some of the available grants. The city official are researching additional ways to help fund the infrastructure portion of the project.
We also have been interviewing management companies capable of properly operating a project like this. Several of these management companies have sent representatives to St. Elmo where we have met and talked about the project with them. We have narrowed our selection down to 3 companies and are awaiting final proposals. We hope to have a management company in place by the end of January 2007. This will allow us to begin planning and promoting all the things that the President Riverboat has to offer even before she is totally rebuilt here.
We now have received firm bids for the dismantling, trucking and reassembly of the President. We have shopped several contractors who are capable of of performing the needed renovations and can build the additional facilities needed for the project. We have narrowed that selection down to 3 area contractors, subject to final bids.
We are also waiting for EPA clearance, surveying to be completed, land deal to be firmed up and making sure that all the financial obligations in regard to the project are met or can be met before we proceed to bring the boat over to the St. Elmo location. We are very excited to have come this far and feel like we have a good handle on the project, thank to many local officials and people of your community that have helped in bringing the President Riverboat to St. Elmo. We know we will still encounter many bumps and curves in the road and ask to to please bear with us. We want you to be proud to have the President Riverboat as part of your community and to be able to share her with future generations for many years to come.
We cannot give any firm dates as to when the project will be in operation. We are working daily on all aspects of the project and will give you more updates as we progress. Again we want to thank you for allowing us to be a part of your great community. Let's all work together in promoting St. Elmo, Illinois as a major tourist destination. There is already talk in the wind about many good things that can happen to your area and we know that the President Riverboat is only one of the many attractions that St. Elmo will soon have to offer.
From Our Family To Yours, The Campbells

2007-03-09T21:20:00.000-08:00

St. Elmo Devonian News
Published: October 12, 2006

Hello Dolly, It's Nice to Have You Here Where You Belong.
The President Riverboat is listed on the National Historical Register. It was built in 1924 and will be restored to around the WWII era. The boat was famous as a platform for famous jazz musicians. Louis Armstrong played on the boat many times and even lived on the boat for a while. The last famous band to play on the President was U2.
The boat is presently moored on the Mississippi River at Alton. It will be disassembled and moved to St. Elmo's Tower Lake. The boat will be set on concrete pilings at the south end of Tower Lake. A "chain" type motel will be built next to the Riverboat to provide additional rooms
Mr. Campbell wants to get the project started as soon as possible. The city council, the mayor, and Chief Thomason have worked very hard with the Campbells over the past months; and the work is just starting. A press conference will be called in the near future to make the announcement to the public.

2007-03-09T21:18:00.000-08:00

St. Elmo Devonian News
Published: October 12, 2006

The President is Coming to St. Elmo
"This is an investment in the future of our town" stated Michael Springman after the city council voted unanimously to present a letter of intent to David and Peggy Campbell. The Campbells accepted the letter of intent and in return presented their letter of intent to the city. David Campbell stated that they had a good working relationship with the mayor and city council.
The city's letter of intent stated:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Campbell:
The city council and others have been working hard to put together an incentive package for you to make St. Elmo the permanet home of the President Riverboat. For many it has been a huge undertaking. Sometimes we thought we had it all together and the next moment something changed. Now the time has finally come that the City of St. Elmo is willing and able toproduce the following incentive package for the project: The Tower Lake property that the city owns (37 acres). This does not include the boat dock area or parking lot. Also included is 1.83 acres located at the intersection of Tower Road and Interstate Drive commonly known as the Belsen property and theproperty consisting of 1.8 acres known as the Church of Christ property. This would be a totalacerage of 40.63. Other property may become available in the near future.
The city will provide water and sewer to the project. Also provided will be six years of water with no charge up to fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) per year. Any usage over that will be assessed at the wholesale rate. There will be free sewr service for six years also. This would be a savings to you of $90,000 over the six year period.
The city will also provide parking lots and landscaping for the area. As stated in previous correspondence security will be provided as manpower dictates.
The city will work with and the public utility companies (electric, gas, phone, cable, etc.) to insure adequate services to the site.
We are sure that questions and glitches will arise as the project moves along, but with the great working relationship that we share already, we can handle whatever comes along.
We are as excited asyou are and look forward to a great future together.

2007-03-09T21:17:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-03-09T21:15:00.000-08:00

Effingham Daily News
Published: June 16, 2006

Amber WilliamsEffingham Daily News
ST. ELMO — A preliminary feasibility study by an independent consultant is pointing to St. Elmo as the best spot for a proposed historic riverboat project to locate.
The consultant hired by Dave and Peggy Campbell to explore the best site to convert the President riverboat into a hotel and convention center complex told members of the St. Elmo City Council Friday that the city appears to be the best location for the project.
Consultant Greg Hanis said that after doing a close study of possible area locations, St. Elmo appeared to be the most viable because of the Interstate 70 interchange and the city’s ability to have future development around the interstate.
“In my opinion, St. Elmo probably offers the best advantage for the boat at this time,” Hanis said.
City council members met with Dave Campbell while on conference call to Hanis Friday and discussed what the city had to offer for the project and what needed to be done before Campbell could give St. Elmo a firm commitment the riverboat would locate there.
Plans for what exactly the riverboat project will entail will depend on where the boat locates, but Campbell said he plans to turn it into a hotel and convention center possibly modeled to the 1940’s-era.
If it goes to St. Elmo, the riverboat would likely be located at Tower Lake near the interstate, with the boat either sitting along the edge of Tower Lake or on the lake with a permanent foundation under it. The President riverboat, which the Campbells bought last year, will not ever be used in its boating capacity again and if it is placed on Tower Lake for the project, it needs to have a foundation, Campbell said.
The test of whether the project will have a permanent home in St. Elmo now depends on whether engineers determine that it would be structurally sound if placed on Tower Lake, Hanis said.
Market research has shown that St. Elmo would have the most advantages for the boat, but Hanis said Campbell must first know that it is logistically feasible for the boat to be on Tower Lake before committing fully to St. Elmo.
St. Elmo city council members have been working in past months on incentives they could offer the Campbells to bring the riverboat to the city because of the economic development benefits it will bring along with it.
Were Campbell to choose St. Elmo for the riverboat site, the city council has said they will do such improvements as streetscaping, landscaping, lighting and creating a walking path. The council also has purchased some land options around the lake for the project.
The city council will look for grant funding for some of these improvement projects, said alderman Jayson Porter.
Hanis asked the council members to consider putting a clause in the zoning ordinance that gives the council some control of what new businesses may go in near the riverboat once it is developed. The clause could require new development near the riverboat to comply with its theme and to not allow competing hotels in the riverboat area for a few years.
The Campbells originally had a list of area towns it was considering for the President project, but most recently narrowed that list down to St. Elmo and Newton.

2007-03-09T21:12:00.000-08:00

Effingham Daily News
Published: October 31, 2005

Site for Riverboat Narrowed to Four
By KIM WIEDMAN
The location for “The President” riverboat has still not been decided, but owners David and Peggy Campbell of Effingham said they have it narrowed down to four sites in Illinois, with Effingham not making the list.
After speaking with officials from several area counties and even other states, the Campbells, who purchased the historical riverboat along with a second riverboat earlier this year, said the list of locations is now down to four — Jasper County, St. Elmo, Vandalia and Vermilion County.
“The President” — which is expected to house a hotel, restaurants and an entertainment venue — is a 300-foot-long vessel that has been an icon on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers for nearly a century and was purchased in August by the Campbells whose first thoughts were to locate the vessel in Effingham. But after what was described as “miscommunications” between the couple and Mayor Bob Utz, the Campbells began searching for other locations for the boat, which led to several offers from other cities.
According to David Campbell, he and his family narrowed down the choices for the riverboat based on location.
“Mostly we decided on those four because we do want it close to Effingham. Not only for our own reasons, but also to allow Effingham residents to be able to enjoy it,” said David Campbell.
He added another deciding factor that led to the creation of the shortened list was the treatment they received from the interested parties.
“All four have been very easy to work with,” said David Campbell. “All of them have really went out of their way as far as welcoming us. They went beyond what we ever imagined, and they really know how to treat a person who wants to bring in a new business.”
“I have been wined, dined and wooed like I haven’t been since I was dating my husband,” said Peggy Campbell. “They are showing us that they are excited about the concept of the project.
“I am not surprised by that response. Ever since David explained it to me, I knew this project was a winner,” said Peggy Campbell, who added even a group in New York City contacted the couple about having “The President” located in the harbor there.
During meetings at different cities, David Campbell said he was able to speak with city and county leaders, area businessmen and state representatives.
One county that showed interest right away, according to David Campbell, was Jasper County.
According to Jasper County Economic Development Director Ken Larimore “The President” dry-docking in the county would be a positive project for the area.
“This is a huge project for the City of Newton, Jasper County and the region as a whole,” he stated in a release. “For Newton, the unique project creates a community center and gives the community a theme.”
To go along with the boat’s historical theme, Larimore stated Newton would plan future development around the riverboat theme and the era, which could include carrying the theme to the downtown area.
“We have no limits for what ‘The President’ riverboat complex can do for Newton, Jasper County and the region,” said Larimore in the release. “It has lots of room for at least one hotel, a couple restaurants, a banquet hall and an entertainment center. The first phase could employ 200.”
With available activities on the Embarras including hiking and canoeing along with the county’s two large fishing lakes, three hunting lodges and a nature preserve, Larimore said Jasper County is a “perfect fit” for the Campbells’ project.
Larimore compared it to other regions that have had successful tourist locations.
“Branson, Missouri, and many of the other successful tourist locations started in small towns with big spirits,” he said in the release.
With four proposals to consider, the Campbells agreed they have a hard decision to make.
“It is going to be a very hard decision because of all of the interest we have had from these communities,” said David Campbell, who added he considers the project a “common folk’s” project. “Everybody wants to know how we are pulling this off as common folks. A common person can pull a project off like this if you have the will to do it. Where there is a will there is a way.”
Although the Campbells are excited about the response they have received for the riverboat, David Campbell admits he is disappointed the boat will not be located in his hometown.
“They just don’t seem interested in it,” said David Campbell, adding Effingham officials seem more geared toward industrial projects. “I am disappointed because my first choice was Effingham.”
At first, what was deemed a “miscommunication” gave Campbell the idea the city of Effingham wasn’t interested in the project. Then, he was asked to attend a recent Effingham City Council meeting, which was followed by a discussion with city officials. But Campbell said he was disappointed with the city’s response when comparing it to the other cities.
Mayor Utz said the city did contact the Campbells following the council meeting, but one element the city requested from Campbell was a business plan for the project and it did not receive that.
Without the business plan, Utz said the city could not move forward on offering an incentive package.
“We have had correspondence with them, but what we really needed from them was some sort of a business plan,” said the mayor, adding the city needed to have more information about employment numbers and potential tax revenue. “We frankly never got that. We never got a business plan.
“The fact that they want the riverboat in Effingham isn’t enough for us. We need some kind of statistical information to show us that it would be a value for the city,” said Utz. He added the Campbells estimated the project to cost $10 million, and it was never clear what kind of financial assistance they were asking the city for.
David Campbell agreed with the mayor that a business plan was not submitted to the city, but he said he did not submit a plan because it would be tailored to the city it is going to be located in.
“Whatever city we chose will have a unique business plan for that city,” said David Campbell, adding the Campbells’ want to work with officials to create a business plan aimed at the community’s needs.
“Out of all of the city’s we talked to, Effingham is the only one that has asked for a business plan,” said David Campbell. “And, if we sat down and tried to complete a business plan for every city, that is all we would be doing.
“All of the other city’s have offered to help us develop that business plan so it can be tailor to that city. It is not just going to be us making the plan,” he added.
Another factor, according to Utz, was the city was not certain of the location the Campbells were proposing. Utz said the property originally proposed for the boat was outside city limits, and other locations proposed by the city did not seem to interest the Campbells.
“We talked to him about other locations, but he frankly didn’t seem too interested in it,” said Utz.
According to Economic Development Director Todd Hull, other options included sites along Outer Belt West, but the Campbells didn’t show much interest to suggested sites, so officials did not move forward on site locations.
Campbell said the city did not present other possible locations to him, and city officials only mentioned that they were going to look into other sites.
The Campbells are expected to make a decision as to where to locate the riverboat as early as this week.
The President is currently docked in Tennessee, and because the boat is so large and weighs 1,000 tons, it will have to be broken down into 100 pieces and then transported by semitrailer to the selected site, where it will then be welded back together. The process is expected to take more than a year.

The Presidential Blog

2007-03-09T21:01:00.000-08:00

The President Riverboat, here shown on the Mississippi River in St. Louis.

Effingham Daily News

Published: September 19, 2005

A Riverboat in Effingham: Local Couple to Revive Historic Boat on Dry Land
By KIM WIEDMAN
When most people hear the news of a local couple’s latest business venture, they first wonder if it is just a practical joke, and then they often question the sanity of the couple.
But once David and Peggy Campbell of Effingham tell why they purchased The President riverboat and explain their future plans for the historical vessel, people often quickly jump on board with the couple’s idea.
The 80-year-old riverboat purchased by the Campbells in August has been an icon on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers for nearly a century with several locals remembering the ship at its location near the St. Louis Arch.
With the changes in Coast Guard regulations, The President was permanently docked after it failed preliminary inspections, and due to the cost to repair the boat, the owner Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. decided to retire the boat and even considered scrapping it.
But the riverboat was just what David Campbell was looking for.
The Campbells, who also own Ad Works publishing on north U.S. 45, purchased additional ground next to their business that would be used for future expansion of the business. But, the Campbells were looking for another project for seven acres of the property.
When Campbell was driving home one day, the idea struck him to purchase a boat and dry dock it. So four years later when he learned of The President’s fate, he decided that the riverboat would be the perfect boat for his project.
“For the past four years, we have been talking about what to do with that piece of property. And one day it hit me out of the clear blue, ‘why not a boat?’” said David Campbell, adding he quickly began researching the idea before presenting it to his wife.
When David Campbell approached his wife about the project, Peggy Campbell said she initially thought her husband was crazy.
“I thought he had lost his mind. I thought he was overworked and lost his mind,” she recalled with a laugh.
She said her husband is known for his original ideas.
“You have those people who think inside the box, and then you have the people who think outside the box. My husband doesn’t know there is a box,” said Peggy Campbell.
The Campbells’ plans for the 300-foot-long, 84-foot-wide and 54-foot-tall, five-deck riverboat are not set in stone at this point, but the couple said they do plan to restore the boat to the 1930s- ’40s era and have it house a hotel, restaurant, banquet hall and entertainment center.
“You could basically do anything you wanted to with it because it is a big-size boat,” said David Campbell, but emphasized the boat will not be a casino.
Besides restoring the boat that was dedicated as a national historical landmark in 1989, the couple also plans to build a moat around the boat that would allow for the operation of the sidewheels — which are the two giant side paddles.
Because the couple is applying for grant money to help fund the project, the boat must fit certain criteria, and since some of the luxuries and amenities requested by travelers do not fit the “historical” criteria, the couple went ahead and purchased a second smaller riverboat, the Lucky 7, that will potentially serve as a pool area or a water park facility. The second retired riverboat is 240 feet by 45 feet by 28 feet with two decks and is planned to be connected to the large riverboat by the decks.
Although the Campbells have a vision for the boat, one thing that has not been set is the location for the riverboat.
According to Campbell, they originally considered locating it in Effingham, which is their first choice, but David Campbell said the city didn’t seem as interested as some of the other cities that have contacted the couple — including Vandalia, Metropolis, Paduca and others located along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
“We have been contacted by various different cities,” he said.
Effingham Mayor Bob Utz said he has had conversations with David Campbell regarding dry docking the boat in Effingham.
“We were very interested in working with him, but we have never found the right site,” said the mayor, adding the two have had regular conversations. “We have talked in generalities, but we haven’t gotten down to the specifics.”
Utz said the riverboat would be a tourist attraction, so, if Effingham was the location, he would like to see it near the interstate.
“It would be a nice compliment to other things,” he said. “But there are some other communities that are very interested in it, and I don’t know where we exactly stand.”
Utz added the city may be able to offer some incentives to the Campbells, but it would depend on what the boat houses and the amount of sales tax that could be generated by the business.
With the location for the boat still up in the air, one thing about relocating the boat is certain and that is it will take over a year to move the large vessel.
Because the boat is so large and weighs 1,000 tons, it will have to be broken down into 100 pieces and then be transported by semitrailer to the selected site, where it will then be welded back together.
The Campbells, who are involving their two children, 11-year-old Caitlin and 8-year-old Collin, in the project, said they have always wanted to do a big project together and said they have made it a family project.
“We always wanted to do something big together, and this is it,” said David Campbell, adding he hopes the community where the riverboat is dry docked will also be a part of the process. “It is something we want the community to be a part of. We want to share it with the whole community.”
Kim Wiedman can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 128 or kwiedman@effinghamdailynews.com.