Last week's move at Alton City Hall to sign an agreement to create a hub for riverboat cruises has the makings of a financial boom . Starting next year, American Cruise Lines will have priority docking for turnarounds on the riverfront, a five-year deal that the head of the local tourism bureau can't wait to see get started.

Brett Stawar, President of the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau says the economic impact to the city could be in excess of $2-million over the five-year agreement. 

11 cruises will dock in Alton next year, increasing to 23 in 2021 and 2022. The agreement gives American Cruise Lines the right to dock its ships on the Alton riverfront for five years with options to extend the agreement for additional five year terms. The agreement also calls for the cruise line “to promote tourism and retail activity in Alton.”