Business Briefs: Delta Queen gets another 90 days in Chattanooga

photo The Delta Queen riverboat is docked on the north shore of the Tennessee River near Coolidge Park in Chattanooga.

Delta Queen gets another 90 days in Chattanooga

The Delta Queen has been given another 90 days to remain moored in Chattanooga, extending its stay beyond a March 31 deadline handed down by the city.

Cornel Martin, chief executive of DQSC Inc., is trying to reach an agreement with Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a Colorado company, to secure the purchase of the historic vessel.

Mayor Andy Berke said in a letter to Hans Desai, a Xanterra vice president, that the city is "happy to [extend the deadline] again while you attempt to close the sale you are presently negotiating."

Bitter winter cold caused pipes to burst on to the Delta Queen, leading to significant damage. It has been closed since mid-February. Leah Ann Ingram, general manager of the floating hotel, said insurance claims are being processed and there's work to be done before it can reopen. "We still don't have an exact operating date yet," she said.


Thrive 2055 offers online survey

Thrive 2055, the effort to create a 16-county, 40-year growth plan, is gathering additional input via an online survey.

The survey is geared toward narrowing the project's focus within the areas of education and training, economic development, transportation, and natural treasures. The survey can be found at www.Thrive2055.com now through April 21.

"This is one of several opportunities for people to help shape projects coming out of Thrive 2055 and its four initiative groups," said Maggie Neff, Thrive 2055 communications and outreach coordinator. "The voices of people who live and work here are so important to the decision-making process, and we want to hear again from all the communities in our region."

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