Could Arkansas Queen Be Setting Sail?
By: Jocelyn Tovar, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 6, 2013
Those close to the deal said leaving for New Orleans and even further to South America.
The executive director of the North Little Rock Visitor's Bureau said he heard news of the boats departure Friday and that the city of North Little Rock leases the river to the boat company which is based out of state.
The local general manager for the riverboat declined our request for an on-camera interview, but his wife confirmed the boat is in fact leaving the state it's been anchored in since 1996.
Tourists around the Arkansas River said Sunday, if the boat left it would definitely be a loss for the area.
"I think it's very sad," said Linda Eby. "Our kids live in Louisville and they have riverboats that are just wonderful. They take them on dinner cruises and I can see us coming back and enjoying this because it is such a tourist attraction."
We spoke with former North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hayes who said this has been a possibility for a while, but that he could not confirm the actual exit is inevitable.
The executive director of the North Little Rock Visitor's Bureau said he heard news of the boats departure Friday and that the city of North Little Rock leases the river to the boat company which is based out of state.
The local general manager for the riverboat declined our request for an on-camera interview, but his wife confirmed the boat is in fact leaving the state it's been anchored in since 1996.
Tourists around the Arkansas River said Sunday, if the boat left it would definitely be a loss for the area.
"I think it's very sad," said Linda Eby. "Our kids live in Louisville and they have riverboats that are just wonderful. They take them on dinner cruises and I can see us coming back and enjoying this because it is such a tourist attraction."
We spoke with former North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hayes who said this has been a possibility for a while, but that he could not confirm the actual exit is inevitable.
