The article says Granite City, but it looks like the project is part of the other side of the river.
Riverboat docked on Mississippi River may be part of development
BY TERI MADDOX
News-Democrat
GRANITE CITY - If you commute across the Interstate 270 bridge, you may be wondering why a four-deck riverboat has been docked on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River in recent weeks.
It's there because an area businessman wants to make it the centerpiece of a $300 million condominium development with shops, restaurants, a marina and boardwalk.
"I've got the biggest dream in the world," said Tony Daniele, 58, of Spanish Lake, Mo. "And I've got some of the biggest contractors looking at it."
Daniele operates Central Illinois Taxi, a medical-transportation service in Fairmont City. He said he owns 70 acres of riverfront property in North St. Louis, across the Mississippi from Granite City, near the northern tip of Chouteau Island.
Daniele had the boat, called Belle of the Night, brought down from Pekin, about a month ago. It was known as the Belle Angeline in the 1950s and '60s, when it was docked on the downtown St. Louis riverfront.
"The girl needs a facelift, but she's in really good shape," Daniele said, noting the boat has three restaurants, two bars, a banquet hall and observation deck. "She's beautiful."
Daniele wants to build eight, four-story buildings with 32 condominiums in each building on his property, next to the boat. He said he's looking for investors and developers.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued Daniele a temporary permit to dock the boat on the Mississippi until he decides what he's going to do with it.
"There probably would be a number of different permits they'd have to get if they pursue their plans (for a development)," said Nicole Dalrymple, public-affairs specialist in the Corps' St. Louis office.
Contact reporter Teri Maddox at tmaddox@bnd.com or 345-7822, ext. 26.
Riverboat docked on Mississippi River may be part of development
BY TERI MADDOX
News-Democrat
GRANITE CITY - If you commute across the Interstate 270 bridge, you may be wondering why a four-deck riverboat has been docked on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River in recent weeks.
It's there because an area businessman wants to make it the centerpiece of a $300 million condominium development with shops, restaurants, a marina and boardwalk.
"I've got the biggest dream in the world," said Tony Daniele, 58, of Spanish Lake, Mo. "And I've got some of the biggest contractors looking at it."
Daniele operates Central Illinois Taxi, a medical-transportation service in Fairmont City. He said he owns 70 acres of riverfront property in North St. Louis, across the Mississippi from Granite City, near the northern tip of Chouteau Island.
Daniele had the boat, called Belle of the Night, brought down from Pekin, about a month ago. It was known as the Belle Angeline in the 1950s and '60s, when it was docked on the downtown St. Louis riverfront.
"The girl needs a facelift, but she's in really good shape," Daniele said, noting the boat has three restaurants, two bars, a banquet hall and observation deck. "She's beautiful."
Daniele wants to build eight, four-story buildings with 32 condominiums in each building on his property, next to the boat. He said he's looking for investors and developers.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued Daniele a temporary permit to dock the boat on the Mississippi until he decides what he's going to do with it.
"There probably would be a number of different permits they'd have to get if they pursue their plans (for a development)," said Nicole Dalrymple, public-affairs specialist in the Corps' St. Louis office.
Contact reporter Teri Maddox at tmaddox@bnd.com or 345-7822, ext. 26.
Who is this guy? I mean, I wish him well, but this is kinda out of the blue!
