The SS United States, America’s Flagship, could return home to New York as a transformative economic development project unveiled by the SS United States Conservancy, the owner of the famed vessel.
The SS United States Conservancy, a national nonprofit organization which leads the global effort to save and repurpose the SS United States, has unveiled a new redevelopment program which would not only save America’s flagship, but also generate thousands of jobs, acres of green space and significant economic benefits.
The plan would repurpose the legendary ocean liner as a unique, mixed-use destination, including a 1,000 key hotel, numerous food and beverage destinations, multiple event venues, acres of public green space, and a world-class museum. The project could be a capstone to a decades-long effort to protect and revitalize the Hudson River waterfront, create thousands of new jobs, and generate millions in tax revenue annually.
The conceptual plan for a privately funded, commercial redevelopment identified Manhattan’s Hudson River as the optimal home port for the vessel, due to its proximity to transportation and pedestrian access to the Javits Convention Center. The project would entail the redesign and reconstruction of adjacent piers, which would create acres of new public green space aboard the vessel and adjoining areas. The ship’s transformative potential is not restricted to New York. Other locations and port cities could benefit from the ship’s commercial revitalization and iconic status.
The release of the redevelopment plan comes at a time when the SS United States is in peril. The ship faces possible eviction from her current pier in Philadelphia. The vessel’s landlord doubled the conservancy’s rent without notice during the coronavirus pandemic, placing significant financial strain on the organization. The conservancy is presently in litigation on the matter, with a trial date slated for early December.
“The SS United States symbolizes the nation’s ambition and innovation. Our development partners have embraced the patriotic and economic significance of this monumental project. Through their extensive due diligence, they have created a bold and exciting plan that preserves the ship’s history and activates the vessel’s commercial potential,” said Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy, the national nonprofit organization that has worked tirelessly to save it for more than a decade.
The conservancy is now seeking state and local interest from New York or other potential cities to advance its plan at a host pier location. The nonprofit organization and its development team are prepared to donate the ship and the design and engineering work completed to date to expedite progress in securing a prime location for the vessel’s revitalization.
The SS United States was once a global ambassador of her namesake nation, and her red, white, and blue funnels were a source of pride and inspiration following the devastation of WWII. During her storied service career, the SS United States smashed the transatlantic speed record in 1952 using only two-thirds of her power, a record that has never been broken. From her Hudson River berth, she carried more than one million passengers, from celebrities and royalty to immigrants and tourists. She was also a top-secret convertible troop transport that could rush 14,000 troops 10,000 miles without refueling.
Although the Jet Age silenced her engines in 1969, the SS United States continues to represent an inspiring synthesis of post-war technological innovation, mid-century modern design, as well as the nation’s enduring ambition, resilience, and optimism.
“The conservancy’s partners and passionate supporters from across the country and around the world have created a viable path forward to save the SS United States,” added Gibbs, the granddaughter of the ship’s original designer. “But we are quickly running out of time. We know this can be a viable, transformative project. Let’s rally together to secure a home for America’s Flagship.”