AZTAR: 2,000 VISITORS A DAY

CARUTHERSVILLE -- A lot of new traffic is downtown these days, but the influx of more than 2,000 visitors a day to this Bootheel city of 7,500 isn't creating traffic flow problems.

"Everything is moving smoothly," said Don Lloyd, city economic developer, in reference to the traffic increase created by the Aztar Casino aboard the "City of Caruthersville" riverboat.

Lloyd said the city had anticipated a few traffic problems but they haven't developed.

The casino is putting a lot of new people in town, but it's not like having 2,000 additional people here all at one time, Lloyd said. "They come and go from 8 a.m. to midnight each day."

Although it's still too early to determine any economic impact figures in the area, some merchants have noticed increase activity.

One is the Round House Restaurant, some nine to 10 blocks from the riverboat, which has experienced increases in its lunch and early afternoon trade. One downtown service station reports added traffic at the gas pumps.

Drury Inn, a hotel at Hayti, six miles from the riverboat, and the Best Western Motor Lodge at Dyersburg, Tenn., 22 miles away, have reported small increases in reservations for weekends.

A spokesman at the Dyersburg Chamber of Commerce expressed optimism at the arrival of the casino riverboat. "We're looking forward to it," he said. "We have a large shopping area here and plenty of hotel rooms."

Plans have also been announced for the first downtown Caruthersville motel. A Hatfield Inn will be constructed adjacent to the Casino Aztar land-based complex. Hatfield Inns are a chain of 13 motels owned by Guy and Dorothy Hatfield.

Lloyd and Casino Aztar officials say the riverboat casino's opening the final weekend of April was a strong one.

"We had more than 8,000 people during the first three days," said Michael J. Facenda, Aztar marketing manager. "We were well pleased with the opening weekend turnout.

The total of visitors to the riverboat passed the 20,000 mark nine days after opening.

That's an average of more than 2,200 a day, with a high of more than 3,300 April 29, which is all in line with Aztar's expectations of 800,000 to 1.2 million visitors for the first year.

"The people are coming in, and they're happy with our facilities," Facenda said. "We have been at capacity for a few cruises."

And, the boat is cruising.

"We're floating throughout each of the five day cruises," Facenda said. With a total of 60 trips a week -- eight each Sunday through Thursday and 10 each Friday and Saturday, the riverboat is cruising more than 58 percent of the trips.

Visitors to the riverboat have been primarily from western Tennessee, the Bootheel and northeast Arkansas.

"We have also attracted some people from western Kentucky," Facenda said. "These are the areas we were hoping to draw from."

Visitors to boat represent a wide variety of people.

"We have our share of senior citizens," he said. "But, we're also seeing a number of younger players."

Participation has been strong in the "premium slot" area and the crap tables, Facenda said. The premium slots include the "wild cherry" and "red, white and blue" slots. Also among the favorites are the "double diamond" slots.

Entertainment is provided daily for people who have to wait to board the riverboat.

"We provide musical and magic entertainment on the barge on the landing barge," Facenda said.

Visitors to the riverboat casino can expect to pay from $3 to $8 for the two-hour cruises. Morning cruises are $3 and evening cruises through the week are $5. Weekend cruises are $8.

Aztar officials suggest reservations for the weekend, available by calling (314)-333-1000. To reach the riverboat, motorists can exit Interstate 55 at Exit 19 and turn east to Caruthersville. From Interstate 155, motorists should turn on Exit 6.

The only complaint to date has been lack of seats at slot machines.

The majority of the 500 slots aboard have no slot stools.

"We understand this is a problem," Facenda said. "And, we're addressing that. We have brought in a number of slot stools since we opened."

Slot chairs were already available for a number of video poker machines along the wall areas. Seating is available for blackjack tables.

Parking is no problem for motorists.

A parking lot outside the river wall has been completed and will accommodate 1,000 vehicles and 14 buses.

"We also have special parking for recreational vehicles," Facenda said.

Meanwhile, construction continues on Aztar's land-based pavilion, which is expected to open July 1. That includes a 46,000-square-foot structure outside the river wall, containing a 268-seat restaurant, 40-seat snack bar, 172-seat sports bar and a gift shop.