Tuesday’s confirmation that a Margaritaville Resort will be developed in the old Portofino Hotel location in downtown Vicksburg is good news for all.

In fact, readers of the story on VicksburgPost.com and shares of our story on Facebook were at near record levels.

Yes, Vicksburg is excited, and well we should be.

“It’s big news,” said Annette Kirklin, director of the Vicksburg Convention Center. “It’s big news for tourism and big news for meeting planners, because that’s an A No. 1 reason that we do not get some of these conventions because we don’t have a hotel property that’s (within walking) distance, and it’s bigger for us than the people realize. I think it’s bigger for the city than people realize.”

Perhaps even better news is that Margaritaville will not be a casino. Its developers have said they think we have enough gaming here already. We agree.

What Margaritaville will bring is something completely unique and new to our city. Plans are for a 117-room family friendly hotel with an indoor arcade, a restaurant and coffee shop, fitness center and a recreation area called the “Coral Reef Water Playground.”

Vicksburg residents are proud of our downtown area with its unique shops and restaurants and many weekly activities. The addition of the Margaritaville Resort will draw more tourists into Vicksburg and offer something for all age groups.

We’re sure the development of Margaritaville, which is scheduled to open sometime in the spring of 2018, will be further impetus for our city to continue to develop our precious riverfront area into something more welcoming for visitors.

Good things are happening in Vicksburg. Between what is truly a bustling downtown, the work to transform the education of our school children within our public school district and the now coordinated efforts on the economic development front here, Vicksburg and Warren County are on the cusp of something great.