Staff Writer
The voyage to bring a retired Navy ship to port in Jacksonville as a floating museum received some power Wednesday.
The City Waterways Commission voted to recommend that City Council pass an ordinance that would pledge the City’s support for the project, as long as it was clear that the City would not bear any financial responsibility for the project.
Waterways Commission Vice Chair Bill Bishop spoke in support of recommending approval of the ordinance to City Council, but Commission member Michael Corrigan wanted to make sure the City’s position was clear in the ordinance.
Bishop and Corrigan are council members
“I support the USS Adams being here and am surprised it’s not here already. It would be great for Downtown,” said Corrigan. “I just want to make sure it doesn’t create any financial harm to the City, which the project doesn’t intend, but we need to have that spelled out in the ordinance.”
The Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association and Adams Class Veterans Association are raising funds to bring the retired USS Charles F. Adams to Jacksonville. The plan is to convert it to a floating museum that would be anchored on the River City Brewing Company side of the Acosta Bridge.
The group needs the support of the City because the City has a small dock in the area that would need to be removed to build a dock to moor the battleship.
“With this ordinance, the City is simply saying it has no problem sharing that easement,” said Bishop.
“I am willing to amend the ordinance to include language stating that the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association will not bring the ship here without a fully funded removal fund.”
John O’Neil, executive director of the association, assured the commission that the ship would not be released by the Navy unless there was a solid financial plan in support of the project.
“This will not cost the taxpayers a cent,” said O’Neil. “We have to sign a contract with the Secretary of the Navy which outlines the funding we have to have in place for moving the ship from Philadelphia to Jacksonville, for maintenance and for returning the ship at the end of its hull life. The Navy will not release a ship without the proper funding in place to sustain the project.”
The ordinance also is being reviewed by the council’s Finance, Rules and Recreation and Community Development committees.
In other Waterways Commission business, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Leonard Propper gave the commission an update on the investigation of derelict vessels on the Ortega River.
Propper reported there were 43 vessels moored throughout the area of the Ortega River from the Ortega bridge to beyond the Roosevelt Boulevard bridge. Nine vessels were identified as derelict.
The JSO made one drug arrest, one arrest on an outstanding warrant and one trespassing arrest. Investigations revealed that people were squatting at the derelict boats.
One derelict boat was removed and destroyed and the JSO received compliance from boat owners of five of the derelict boats, who removed the boats without JSO assistance.
“At one derelict boat we discovered instances of drug use, prostitution and loud music,” said Propper. “The person who was living on the boat would paddle out in a kayak.”
The next meeting of the Waterways Commission is scheduled for Oct. 13.
356-2466