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U showboat to dock by Harriet Island, host theater performances
The St. Paul City Council unanimously approved the University's Centennial Showboat lease Wednesday, allowing the new vessel to dock by Harriet Island Regional Park.
The 15-year lease agreement will cost the University $1 per year plus 15 percent of revenue generated by the boat, excluding money from theater admission charges.
After the recent Harriet Island renovation, the University agreed to locate the showboat in the Mississippi River near the park.
St. Paul had a similar contract with the University before the 19th century historic showboat was destroyed in a fire started by a welding spark in January 2000.
Since then, the University Board of Regents approved a $2 million deal with the St. Paul-based Padelford Packet Boat Company to help the department of theatre and dance arts build a new floating theater.
The showboat, expected to be finished by mid-November, will serve as a floating theater and seat 220 people.
In addition, the boat will feature a 1,480-square-foot stage and backstage area complete with theatrical lighting and sound systems.
The boat will sit alongside other sternwheelers and dockside restaurants. The showboat is expected to host 80 performances each summer.
-- Patrick Hayes
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