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New floating casino docks at Bridge Harbor
Published June 21, 2005
Five might be a lucky number for the casino boat being renovated in Bridge Harbor.
A Texas Star Casino boat, docked near the Surfside Bridge in Freeport, could begin operations by the end of July, chief operations officer Jackie Jackson said. Workers are cleaning and preparing the three-story boat for the slot machines, blackjack tables and poker tables that should arrive in the next few weeks.
Proprietors are in the process of purchasing seven acres of Freeport property at 307 Sailfish Drive. They should close on the purchase by the end of the month. The investment means the casino boat is here to stay, Jackson said.
“We’re a reputable company,” Jackson said. “We buy real estate to develop it and that’s what’s different about us.”
Casino boats have experienced a few bad hands in Freeport. A year ago, the Magic Mermaid tried to swim in Freeport, but operations were unsuccessful. Texas Treasure Casino Cruises pulled out of Freeport in February 2002, about three months after starting trips from the city. Despite promises the boat would return, it never did.
A year before, the Surfside Princess of Freeport was seized for non-payment of debt. And about a decade before that, The Sea Palace pulled up stakes and left town without prior notification.
But Jackson and common owner C. J. Perme of Missouri think the Bridge Harbor area is still worth a gamble.
“We’ve been planning for three months, and we did market research studies,” Jackson said. “We know lots have failed, but we can sustain.”
The vessel already has pulled permits for improvements at the site. The company has renovated the area by painting a building on the site and cleaning the property, Jackson said.
“I hope they’re successful,” Freeport City Manager Ron Bottoms said. “A new business in town is great but there have been three attempts in my three-and-a-half years here.”
The casino presented its plans to City Council in May. Texas Star Casinos does not have finite plans for the development of their property but ideas include condos or a marina, Jackson said. Other permits still are being processed.
“As long as they’re willing to be a good corporate neighbor, I hope they’re successful,” Freeport Mayor Jim Phillips said.
The Village of Surfside Beach hopes that if the casino has a full house, it would bring business into Surfside.
“It’s always beneficial to Surfside because they bring people down to the area,” Surfside Beach Mayor Larry Davison said. “I wish them good luck.”
C.J. Perme will release more information about the Texas Star Casino boat at a later date, the company’s financial officer, Mona Hill, said.
This is Texas Star Casino Boats’ first venture.
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