by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The call continues for support of a floating ship museum Downtown.
“This is not about saving a ship we served on. It’s about bringing people Downtown,” said Dan Bean at Monday’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville.
Bean is an attorney and partner with Holland & Knight.
He’s also president of the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association, a group of more than 800 former sailors and officers who served on the guided missile destroyer USS Charles F. Adams and the other vessels in its class.
Bean has another connection to the project. He served as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy and stepped aboard his first ship in 1984 at Mayport Naval Station. The ship was the Adams.
Bean said the Adams is the last available example of the destroyers that played an integral role in the Cuban missile crisis and the Cold War.
The Adams is at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and the association wants to raise $9 million to bring the 437-foot warship to Jacksonville as a floating museum and tourist attraction.
Bean said the group estimated attendance at 120,000 visitors per year with an economic impact of more than $3 million.
The association is raising money to bring the ship to the Southbank and a pier yet to be constructed near the Acosta Bridge.
“We studied the other 35 warship museums and we think having the Adams near the Acosta Bridge is the best location. Everyone who drives over the Fuller Warren Bridge will see the ship and want to stop Downtown,” said Bean.
So far, Gov. Rick Scott has pledged his support for the project and Bean is confident that bringing the Adams Downtown will also be supported by Mayor Alvin Brown.
One of Brown’s main campaign issues was revitalizing Downtown.
Bean said it would also be a one-of-kind destination for visitors.
“Since 9/11, it’s virtually impossible to tour a warship at Mayport. Bringing the Adams Downtown can offer that opportunity,” said Bean.
For more information about the project, visit www.adams2jax.org.
356-2466