City sues to break casino lease

Monday, Nov. 18, 2002 | 10:57 a.m.

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- The city of Natchez has filed suit in Adams County Chancery Court to terminate its lease with the Isle of Capri-Natchez casino.

The city in 1993 leased 15.5 acres to Lady Luck, which then owned the Natchez casino, for $454 a month. The next year, the city amended the lease to take back nine acres on the east side of the property.

The Isle of Capri has since purchased the casino.

The contract stated that the city would have the option to terminate the lease if the company did not make improvements to the property within five years, according to a copy of the lease filed with the court on Friday.

"They haven't done anything with it yet," said City Attorney Walter Brown.

There had been plans several years ago to use the west side of the property as an employee parking lot, but that never happened, said Wendy Grandin, casino manager.

"We've spoken with the city about this in the past, and we feel we can resolve this issue together without (a lawsuit), and we still hope we can do it," Grandin said of the pending legal action.

The city has no immediate plans for the property.

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