MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ten years ago, Beale Street Landing opened with a big promise to bring boatloads of tourists to town on riverboats cruising the Mississippi River.

The $43 million, grass-covered dome with its distinctive helical boat ramp was over budget and behind schedule when it finally opened. But for several years, the center welcomed visitors from a growing number of cruise lines.

These days the ramp hasn’t seen a boat docking since August of 2023, nearly a year ago. Officials blame low water levels on the river, among other issues.

Cruise ships instead tie off on a log next to a concrete landing at the north end of Mud Island, about three miles north of downtown, and then the passengers board buses.

Meanwhile, logs, mud, and debris are piling up on the multilevel structure in Tom Lee Park. Police say a thief stole $50,000 worth of copper from the dock control center earlier this week.

Sixty-six cruises had to be canceled between July 2023 and July 2024, the Memphis River Parks Partnership says.

That led to a $527,000 deficit in docking revenues for Memphis River Parks Partnership.

“We are finding creative ways to account for the revenue deficit, including riverfront event rentals, and other cost-saving and revenue-generating measures,” said Candace Gray, spokesperson for MRPP.

MRPP, a public-private park management group, is the successor to the Riverfront Development Corporation, which spearheaded the Beale Street Landing project in the early 2000s.

MRPP said there were several reasons for the cruise cancellations, including design issues with Viking cruise ships and the bankruptcy of one of the cruise ship companies.

A primary reason is that low water levels make it impossible for boats to reach the ramp at Beale Street Landing.

“We have to anticipate that this could persist, and if it does persist, we cannot count on boat dockings for revenue,” Carol Coletta, MRPP president, told The New York Times recently in a story about the impact of climate change.

Add to this the fact that American Queen Voyages shut down and canceled all future cruises in February. The company said it was the victim of changes in travel preferences. 

Despite several attempts at attracting restaurants and other tenants, and a $1.1 million renovation just eight years after it opened, the retail-restaurant space remains empty. The American Institute of Architects uses it for occasional events, MRPP says.

But city leaders are doubling down on investments into riverboats, and are in the midst of a project to expand both Beale Street Landing, and the second landing site at the north end of Mud Island.

A city spokesperson says $8.8 million including $3 million in federal funding is being used to build three marine bollards that cruise ships can tie to instead of trees, and a second concrete ramp is being built in Greenbelt Park on Mud Island.

“This facility is the only facility that can accommodate riverboat docking in extreme low water,” an MRPP spokesperson said.

At the same time, the city says $11.2 million is earmarked for improvements to Beale Street Landing, including the helical ramp and floating dock.

MRPP says all American Cruise Line dockings are at Greenbelt Park at the cruise ship line’s request. 

“The Beale Street Landing facilities are under construction, so we are using Mudd (sic) Island until the Beale Street facilities can accommodate riverboats again,” said Alexia Paolella, American Cruise Lines spokesperson. “American appreciates the use of the alternate location nearby, so our guests are still able to enjoy the same wonderful shoreside experiences throughout the area.”

Viking cruises are currently docking at Greenbelt but the company plans to return to Beale Street Landing when the repairs and renovations are completed, MRPP says.

Work is expected to wrap up on both projects in 2026, the city says.

Memphis City Council Member Jerri Green was shocked at the current conditions seen at Beale Street Landing.

“Particularly down by the landing, it is a lot of debris, a lot of trash and, frankly, it’s just unacceptable,” she said.

For now, councilmembers say they want to hear more from MRPP about their plans to bring tourists, restaurants and riverboat cruising to Beale Street Landing.

“I think making Memphis River Parks accountable is perfectly appropriate,” Council Member Jeff Warren said. “The question is, have they not been accountable in the past or are we just, like, having personality issues?”

MRPP said they would send a further statement Wednesday evening. We will update this story when they do.