"Big U" Update

[Philly Steve]

About 15 Philadelphia-area fans of the ship attended the local Conservancy chapter holiday gathering yesterday.

 

A message from Conservancy chief Susan Gibbs was read. In it, she said negotiations continue with interests in New York but again, no specifics. The Conservancy hopes to have more definitive word in the coming weeks.

 

The gathering was also attended by E. Joseph Henwood III, the President of the Binnacle Group which wants to acquire the ship. He says investors are in place to dry dock the ship in Philadelphia, paint it, then tow the United States to Chester, PA. where he says it would become a centerpiece of that city's re-development. Binnacle proposes a Delaware River hotel and entertainment complex.

 

Henwood maintains the drawn out Conservancy negotiations with mystery NYC developers is further jeopardizing the ship's future and his investors are losing patience. Henwood told the meeting he is troubled by a lack of transparency on the part of the Conservancy board in these talks. He also finds fault with the Conservancy's move to sell parts of the ship, including a propeller, to help fund expenses.

 

Whatever the feelings about the Conservancy's handling of the ship, it is true those dedicated members have kept the Big U from the breakers all these years. It is comforting though, that another group exists to prevent that final outcome.

Edited December 14, 2014 by Philly Steve

[Rotterdam]

NEW YORK CITY...Westside piers!

[Philly Steve]

The SS United States Conservancy now reports it has reached a preliminary agreement with NYC developers to move the ship and create a museum-retail-education complex. There are no further details and talks were said to be at a very "sensitive" stage.

 

It's nice to have a little encouraging word after so many weeks, months and years of uncertainty.

 

Check out the Conservancy's website for more information.

[Philly Steve]

The SS United States Conservancy has announced an anonymous donor has gifted $250,000.00 to help keep the dream alive.

 

The Conservancy website says the money will be used to help develop a shipboard museum. Since monthly maintenance costs at the South Philadelphia pier average $80,000.00 some funds may be applied there.

 

The Philadelphia Daily News reports the donation comes on the heels of December's preliminary redevelopment agreement which provided three months worth of funding.

 

Plans are to move the ship to NYC.

[Philly Steve]

Interesting feature on Dutch National Television about efforts to convert

the SS United States into a muti use facility. Some English. Comes from the

Conservancy website.

 

http://www.ssusc.org/category/news/

 

Still no hard news about NYC plans.

[Rotterdam]

There are plans to turn the old passenger ship terminal in NYC(next to the Intrepid Air & Space Museum) into a tourist / Mall area - the development is already in the works....The Big U Conservancy should make some comments about NYC...all this big secrecy is ridiculous. Whether the ship comes to NYC or not(It would be silly if she does not come to NYC - Philadelphia does not have the tourism or economy to support the ship long term - where NYC does.

[George C]

Would love to see her next to the Intrepid Air & Space Museum which we did visit last year and have cruised out of that area many times, Be cool if they could make part of it into a hotel, like some other ships have done

[Philly Steve]

There are plans to turn the old passenger ship terminal in NYC(next to the Intrepid Air & Space Museum) into a tourist / Mall area - the development is already in the works....The Big U Conservancy should make some comments about NYC...all this big secrecy is ridiculous. Whether the ship comes to NYC or not(It would be silly if she does not come to NYC - Philadelphia does not have the tourism or economy to support the ship long term - where NYC does.

 

The Conservancy has said, for some time now, that NYC will be the final destination for the ship. It's just a matter of specifics, they say.

 

As for Philly tourism, officials here say that industry is alive and well as convention bookings are up, Center City Hotel rooms are snapped up and crowds hit Independence Mall and the Delaware River waterfront for the season. The forecast is great, given the upcoming visit by the Pope and the Democratic National Convention next year.

[StanandJim]

As for Philly tourism, officials here say that industry is alive and well as convention bookings are up, Center City Hotel rooms are snapped up and crowds hit Independence Mall and the Delaware River waterfront for the season. The forecast is great, given the upcoming visit by the Pope and the Democratic National Convention next year.

 

+1, Center City Philadelphia AND the Penns Landing area are positively booming, both hotel and tourist-wise,

yet I'm sure that, if only for sentiments sake, Ms. Gibbs et al would prefer to see the SSUS at her home port

[Cruzoholic]

When I came across the Walt Whitman bridge last week, it was sad seeing her just sitting down there. I hope they do something for her.

 

Evie

[Philly Steve]

When I came across the Walt Whitman bridge last week, it was sad seeing her just sitting down there. I hope they do something for her.

 

Evie

 

Even in her current condition, she remains an impressive sight. :) Since she was so overbuilt, the hull remains in excellent condition.

 

Hoping the summer will bring some good news.

[George C]

+1, Center City Philadelphia AND the Penns Landing area are positively booming, both hotel and tourist-wise,

yet I'm sure that, if only for sentiments sake, Ms. Gibbs et al would prefer to see the SSUS at her home port

 

Thanks for the great picture, I was in NYC a few days ago and walked by 1 Broadway which was the home of US Lines in the 1960's and 70's ( I used to work there) which owned SS United Sates and SS America

[Rotterdam]

Until it is officially announced & financially supported there is no reason to say where she will end being moored.

 

As far as Philadelphia tourism ...NYC is booming to say the least and what more would be fitting to see her at Luxury Liner Row next to the Intrepid!

[Philly Steve]

Into modeling?

 

Create a 3-D replica of the SS United States and win a replica Duck Suite Key!

 

http://www.ssusc.org/category/news/

[George C]

Parade magazine had story on SS United states in todays paper

http://parade.com/404297/parade/national-treasure-ss-united-states/

[Philly Steve]

Parade magazine had story on SS United states in todays paper

http://parade.com/404297/parade/national-treasure-ss-united-states/

 

Thanks for the link. Nice little mention. :)

[Philly Steve]

SS United States now celebrated in song. Free download or make a donation. More here...

 

http://www.dailypress.com/business/newport-news-shipyard/dp-nws-ss-united-states-chorus-20150818-story.html

[Rotterdam]

Here is an article in todays NY Times (10/7/15) about the SS United States - it also has a short video about its maiden voyage.

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/08/business/friends-of-the-ss-united-states-send-out-a-last-sos.html?ref=business&utm_source=A+Special+Announcement+from+the+Conservancy&utm_campaign=Redevelopment+Update+and+Renewed+Campaign&utm_medium=email&_r=0

[Host Walt]

Thanks so much for posting this. Finally a somewhat positive report about a historic ship that does not include a past tense discussion of scrap yards. Let's all hope for a positive ultimate outcome as was accomplished with HAL's Rotterdam.

Edited October 7, 2015 by Host Walt

[Philly Steve]

The SS United States Conservancy is out with more alarming news similar to last year at this time.

 

It says it will be forced to put the ship up for recycling, scrapping, as it can not meet the $60,000 a month dock fees in South Philadelphia. This could happen by the end of the month.

 

The Conservancy has long said it is on the verge of moving the ship to New York where it would become a retail, education, museum complex.

 

Sadly, after millions of dollars in generous donations, there is no real progress to report in saving the Big U.

 

It may be up to others to step in now and save the former US Flagship. One investment group, based in Chester, Pennsylvania expressed interest in locating the ship on its waterfront as a hotel to compliment a casino. Let's hope they are still in the game.

 

Those who have posted on this thread, about turning the SS United States into razor blades may finally get their wish.

[George C]

Here is an article in todays NY Times (10/7/15) about the SS United States - it also has a short video about its maiden voyage.

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/08/business/friends-of-the-ss-united-states-send-out-a-last-sos.html?ref=business&utm_source=A+Special+Announcement+from+the+Conservancy&utm_campaign=Redevelopment+Update+and+Renewed+Campaign&utm_medium=email&_r=0

 

Thanks for update

[George C]

Lets not give up hope yet Steve, as Yogi said "It ain't over till its over"

[Philly Steve]

Lets not give up hope yet Steve, as Yogi said "It ain't over till its over"

 

George, you are absolutely right. Realistic, not negative.

[loubetti]

I know more about saving the "Big U" than I can reveal. But I can say this; SUSAN GIBBS AND HER TEAM ARE NOT THE ANSWER!"

 

Her need to have the ship only in New York is an issue and, perhaps sadly, that is the wrong direction due to cost.

 

However, there is a potential bright light at the end of the tunnel, but Gibbs must go first. She appears to be more about her "Conservancy" than the ship itself. Do you think she is doing this for free???

 

Also, don't forget about Gerry Lenfest. He plays a HUGE role in this, far more than Gibbs does.

 

I have said more than enough.

 

Time will tell.

[loubetti]

Susan Gibbs and her "Conservancy" and her need to have the ship in New York, are short sighted, not business savvy, and have not a chance!

 

Let us not forget Gerry Lenfest. He has a HUGE say in this too.

 

Also, there is:

 

http://www.ssunitedstatestrust.org/

 

Don't believe everything you read in the news.