Treble Clef moored until Dec. 20

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2000 | 5:02 a.m.

After that, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will force the boat to move, said Charles Heston, city staff liaison to the Levee Improvement Commission

"There is a safety issue," he said. "Icing of the river means there could be some damage to the bridge if the boat stays there."

Mooring of the Vice President riverboat at the bridge prompted complaints in the past from users of the city's bike path who said it interfered with their view of the river. Owners of the Clarion Hotel near the bridge also complained that it blocked the view from some of its riverside rooms.

"If they are only going to be there for a month, that should be fine," said Tony Shraivi, general manager of the hotel.

Mark Lohman, general manager of the Davenport casino, said the spot is the best place to anchor the new boat for storage. The Treble Clef already has begun its voyage from Jennings, La. It is expected to arrive by Thanksgiving.

The new boat will be put to use as a casino when The President is taken out of service in the spring, he said. Because of its age, The President likely will be taken out of service and decommissioned.

While the new boat is moored at the bridge, work will begin on $18 million in renovations, including new carpet and wall coverings, furniture, fixtures and equipment to fit Isle of Capri's new Rhythm City theme.

"The name of the boat is the Treble Clef, but the name of the casino will be Rhythm City," Lohman said. "It's a much newer boat with more useable space, but it's been sitting vacant for two years on the Red River in the Louisiana humidity."

At the end of its monthlong stay near the Government Bridge, Lohman said, the new boat will be moved alongside The President, where renovation work will be completed.