by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
Two local river boats — the Annabelle Lee and the Lady St. Johns — are getting a makeover for the new year.
The two party boats, owned by Jacksonville businessman Dane Lucas, will be renovated with new carpet, paint, mirrors, window treatments and wallpaper as part of the makeover. Some columns have already been replaced on the Annabelle, and the Lady St. Johns has a new fresh sewage treatment plant.
There will also be a new dock next to the Chart House Restaurant, where the two boats will anchor.
“We’ve always been across the river [on the Northbank],” said Lucas, owner of River Cruises. “We’re over here permanently now so we’re having to put in new dolphins [like hitching posts for seafaring vessels]. We’ve got everything worked out with the City and this is going to be our home. They’re tearing out the sea wall there by the Adam’s Mark to make room for those apartments [Berkman Plaza].”
The Southbank’s egress (routes of exit), ease of accessibility and ample parking are some of the other reasons Lucas choose the new docking site.
Disc jockey booths and a portion of the bar space will also be renovated.
All modifications are expected to be complete within three weeks, with most of the work being handled by the boat’s crew.
“January is usually a pretty slow month for us because the party season is over and the [Jacksonville] Jags aren’t playing,” explained Lucas. “Unfortunately, when you’re not making money is the time you have to spend money.”
Lucas hopes to finish the renovations by the end of January, when tour bus operators begin booking three, or more, cruises a week for out-of-town visitors.
While the renovations were needed, expanding the fleet is not an option for Lucas, at least not at this point.
“Most places with river boats have lots of tourism whereas almost everything we do is private charter,” he said. “There are only so many birthdays, anniversaries, church groups, field trips and business functions. The city couldn’t support another [boat].”
As for the 2005 Super Bowl impacting his plans, Lucas is standing pat.
“How much can you do in 10 days?” he asked. “The Super Bowl is great and we expect to do well with it, but we only have a 10-day window. In the long run, it will help Jacksonville. It will put the city on the national map, but nobody’s going to get rich off of it.”
Lucas is also bidding for the City’s water taxi contract, for which RFP’s (request for proposals) were recently issued. If River Cruises lands the contract, smaller boats will be incorporated into the line.
Regular maintenance is an ongoing chore for boat owners, especially those who often venture offshore into saltwater. Now that the holiday rush has ended, Lucas has time to renovate the 19- year-old Annabelle Lee and the 37-year-old Lady St. Johns.
Formerly in the restaurant business in Five Points during the mid-1970s, Lucas was approached by the owner of the Annabelle 18 years ago to operate the vessel. He eventually bought the boat, and later purchased the Lady St. Johns when that boat’s business faltered.
Constructed in Illinois, Annabelle can accommodate 150 guests. The Lady, built in Pittsburgh, has room for 310.
Through his position as chairman of the First Coast Attractions Association, Lucas is able to arrange package deals for groups visiting Jacksonville. Returning to the restaurant industry is not even a consideration.
“I’m happy partying for a living,” he said.