Talk about riparian rights – this one floats

 "Your dreams change when you live on the water," said David E. Nelson. Appearing at the Emerald Grand Charter Room in Destin Feb. 14 to present his vision of "the most exciting travel opportunity in America," Nelson provided living proof.

When people say they live "on the water" in this neck of the woods, it's a good bet that their front yard consists of sand. Not so for those who plan to take up residency on what may be the most ambitious venture the mighty Mississippi has ever seen.

"It's a very different opportunity," said Janet Cass, an intrepid world traveler and Destin resident of some 30 years. The retired kindergarten teacher joined 15 other hardy and curious souls on a dark and dreary Saturday morning in Destin to hear about living aboard the Marquette, a unique floating community that is, at present, extant only on the drawing boards and in the hearts and minds of more than 30 prospective homeowners who have plunked down a deposit on a floating condo.

Cass loves to travel and presently owns several timeshares. Her friends in Atlanta and Memphis had heard of the Marquette and encouraged her to attend the sales pitch. Others in the audience ranged from curious to skeptical and included younger as well as elder adventurers.

Among those in the audience was the retired captain of the Delta Queen, Niceville resident Mike Williams. From his perspective of 26 years navigating these same waters on the last operating riverboat on the Mississippi, he had much to offer in the way of advice, questions and encouragement.

"There is a lot of expertise out there about riverboats operating on these waterways," said Williams. He indicated that the Delta Queen has been permanently docked and is in the process of being renovated as a floating hotel.

Government bureaucracy, mismanagement by private owners and a law mandating retirement of wooden riverboats are all to blame for the disappearance of the once legendary Mississippi riverboats, according to Williams. The backdrop of this history renders the audacity of the Marquette's developers even more noteworthy.

David E. Nelson has been living aboard his boat with wife ReNae in St. Paul, Minn., for 20 years. Now, the contractor/developer in commercial, residential and marine construction wants to share the live aboard experience with a small group of about 187 fellow adventurers and 30 crew members. And they won't be staying in St. Paul.

With broker and business partner Steve Hyland, Nelson offers takers a continually changing view of 12-22 different ports of call every month, as the Marquette traverses more than 6,600 miles of rivers and intracoastal waterways. The Marquette is slated to emanate from St. Paul and trace the route of the great river all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico from Port Isabel, Texas to Carrabelle.

The itinerary of the four-story, 600 x 108 foot floating community is designed to allow live aboard homeowners and guests to take advantage of optimal climactic conditions and seasonal offerings and local attractions in cities such as Chicago, Pittsburgh, Memphis, Chattanooga, and New Orleans, where the calendar is set to coincide with Mardi Gras every few years.

Hurricane season is spent north, winters south.

With an 18-hole golf course (offering 20-30 yard chip shots), a helipad, restaurants, a spa and a fleet of cars and busses following the vessel on land to provide earthbound transport, it appears unlikely that homeowners will suffer much from cabin fever. Of course, this all comes at a price.

Ownership ranges from a two month ownership of a 528 square foot condo to full ownership of a 924 square foot condo. Initial investment ranges from $54,600 to $499,000, with monthly fees between $1,200 and $2,469. However, there are no property taxes and no lawn mowing. Small pets are allowed.

While the port of Pensacola was included in the slide show accompanying the presentation, Cass wondered whether the Marquette would be able to dock in Destin, eventually. Completion of the project is not expected for several years.

Williams pointed out that some of the waterways on the itinerary would be too narrow to accommodate the 108 foot beam of the vessel. Nelson responded that the ship could not only be split bow to stern for navigational purposes; it could also be sectioned into quarters.

 In fact, each half of the vessel is designed to be independently operated as a barge with its own fuel, steering and navigational systems fully operational. The first side will be put into service as soon as it is constructed.

The Marquette will have a draft of 7 to 7 1/2 feet.

It seems that in the three year development phase of the Marquette, River Cities, Inc. had thought of everything - except, perhaps, the recession. And even so, Nelson pointed out that the current low cost of steel has made this the optimal time to begin actual construction of the vessel.

"There are 35 million retired people living in this country," said Hyland. The developers expect that their idea will appeal to a sufficient number of those people with the means to share their vision. Special incentives, including a 12-month remission of homeowner fees, are being offered for a limited time.

As for fuel prices, the Marquette is designed to last for 100 years, outlasting the world supply of oil by many decades. Its engine, a Cyclone, will burn diesel fuel and other fuels of the future.

Zee-Weed, a micro fiber sewage treatment system, is planned to provide the vessel with ecologically friendly disposal of waste water. It is too soon to say whether an onboard Starbucks is planned, but at minimum, a green grocer and several lounges are expected to be included in the lineup of amenities included in this unique venture.

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