A loss for New Smyrna Beach
The Dec. 21 headlines stating the Delta Queen won't be coming to New Smyrna Beach is more than disappointing. I am truly wondering what is happening in our city management. I certainly cannot blame the Heller's for throwing in the towel. It sounds like the issue came down to a matter of lease terms and time.
Wow. As we are preparing to host a rather large group in late March 2013, I became aware of the shortage of quality accommodations in our town. I had to move our initial choice of dates due to the Bike Week activity that literally fills every room in New Smyrna Beach that is not already filled by our "Snow Birds." I would have loved to place our incoming guests on the Delta Queen. I heard they would have had a restaurant along with 80-plus rooms and then there was the novelty of its being afloat.
Of course, even if the project had not been squelched, my date would have been too soon, but I was enthusiastic about having the new attraction here in New Smyrna Beach.
I love the historic old hotel, the Riverview, and am pleased to learn the owners will be giving it a thorough refurbishing. However, I remain very sorry our city leaders have "negotiated" the Delta Queen out of the question when we need the employment, the additional room space and the attraction. What a wonderful addition to our Loop program such an historic American Icon, the Delta Queen, could have made.
Jeanne Grise, New Smyrna Beach