The Barge is Gone–What Now?
What became known as Casey’s Barge…was a good idea for an upscale restaurant back in 2009—but it was never developed.
The barge is gone now and city leaders are looking at what may take its place in the scenic waterfront.
There were very few watching as a tugboat from Mississippi pulled the old barge away from the shore about 6 o’clock Thursday night.
Anyone who expected to see a lengthy farewell…like with the Delta Queen was disappointed. The entire floating island was down the river and gone within minutes.
At least one person was dismayed at the way Allen Casey’s dream ended.
JACKSON WINGFIELD, BUSINESS MAN "Allen had great dreams and high prospects for what could be. But it just didn’t happen. It would have been good for Chattanooga."
Wingfield owns much of the property where the barge was tied-up.
But most Chattanooga leaders muttered "good riddance."
BOB DOAK, PRESIDENT, CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU "This is a chapter in the city’s history books that I believe we’d all like to forget."
MAYOR ANDY BERKE, CHATTANOOGA "Well,we’re happy to see that thing go. I’ve been looking at it everyday now for years…and its great to see trees and the river and the beauty that is Chattanooga."
As the barge heads for an uncertain future in Biloxi, discussion turned to "what next" for the 11 acre tract of land?
BOB DOAK, PRESIDENT, CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU "I think its vital as a community that we come together and really figure out what is the best use for this because they’re not making any more riverfront land."
MAYOR BERKE "That’s prime real estate…that’s a place that people are looking at and they crave.We want to see things happen in our city and with the barge gone we have a much better chance of something good happening there."
Condominiums, entertainment, eating establishments, shopping! That property is now at the top of the development list.
In a few years we may all be saying—what barge?
A company named "Gulfstream of Biloxi" now owns the old barge. The U.S. Bankruptcy court in Chattanooga paid 195-thousand dollars to have it towed away.
The U-S attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee also issued a statement on its removal.
You can read it here at WDEF-dot-com.
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