TU does not want USS Charles F. Adams Downtown

[RiversideGator]

Good points, CN.  My only concern is that the ship itself isnt that significant.  I wish we could get a better one basically but this may be all that is available and we could always add more later.  I would love to see a WWII era ship downtown and/or a Liberty ship.

Wouldn't basing a more significant ship (such as an aircraft carrier or battleship) be difficult to do in that location with limited dock space? It looks like they would have to physically move the marina.

I meant historically significant although I fear that these are all spoken for due to our city's delays in asking for a ship (which apparently continue to this day in some quarters).  A carrier would clearly not work there and there are no available battleships anyway from what I understand.  This may be the best we can get and it is significant for its era.  Here is some more info on the ship:

USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2), named for Charles Francis Adams, III (Secretary of the Navy from 1929 to 1933), was the lead ship of the Charles F. Adams class of guided missile destroyers of the United States Navy.

The ship was laid down by the Bath Iron Works at Bath, Maine on June 16, 1958, launched on September 8, 1959 by Mrs. R. Homans, sister of Mr. Adams, and commissioned on September 10, 1960 and stationed in its homeport of Charleston, South Carolina.

Intended as a follow-on to the Forrest Sherman class destroyers the ship was originally designated as DD-952. Outwardly similar to the Sherman class, Charles F. Adams was the first U.S. Navy ship designed from the keel up to launch anti-aircraft missiles. To reflect the increased capabilities of the ship and to distinguish it from previous destroyer designs, Charles F. Adams was re-designated DDG-2 prior to the ship's launching.

Following commissioning Charles F. Adams took part in recovery operations for Walter M. Schirra's Mercury 8 mission. While engaged in this operation the Cuban Missile Crisis developed and Adams moved to the Caribbean Sea as part of the quarantine forces around the Island of Cuba. In July 1969, Charles F. Adams left its homeport of Charleston and relocated to Mayport, Florida.

Charles F. Adams was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on November 20, 1992 and held for donation at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Pennsylvania. The Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum Committee attempted to acquire the ship as a museum and memorial to be located in Bay City, Michigan; however, the cost of preparing the ship for movement through the Saint Lawrence Seaway proved too expensive and the project was abandoned.

As of November 2007, Charles F. Adams remains at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on Donation Hold status. She is currently scheduled to be preserved by the Adams Class Veteran's Association in Jacksonville, Florida. An application is due March 31st, 2008.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Charles_F._Adams

And a link to the group seeking to bring it here:
http://www.adamsclassddgvets.org/

[Jason]

Assuming the ship is docked properly, the current will not be a factor.  The ship (as it sits in the rendering) will be well out of reach of the main channel as well.

Id like to know if the writer of that letter even frequents the DT area and if she is a boater.

[thelakelander]

interesting view....since when did museums become negatives?

NAVY SHIP

'Keep it away'

Why do we need a ship, with absolutely no value except as an eyesore or museum, sitting by the riverbank. There would obviously be an additional cost to maintain and manage the ship for the little benefit it would afford. Keep it away.

EMORY THOMAS WELDON

Jacksonville

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/031308/opl_256275277.shtml

[downtownparks]

Wow.... I am flabbergasted.

Any bets on when the last time any of these people were downtown?

[Lunican]

Half of the TU's readers would probably be in favor of public book burnings anyway.

[JeffreyS]

Half of the TU's readers would probably be in favor of public book burnings anyway.

A little harsh.  I just do not think people realize this is a private money project. I would like to see the ship down town to scope out how it plays on the skyline and if it blocks much of the river. I suspect it will be great but I can understand people's trepidation.

[thelakelander]

There's an image on the first page of this thread.  When you look at the targeted site, the "blocking view" angle loses a lot of steam.  I could understand the "blocking view" point-of-view....if the site were not at the base of the Acosta Bridge, next to acres of asphalt surface parking lots.  It will block the view of the skyline from the seldom used surface parking lot under the Acosta Bridge, but it won't block the skyline view from any of the towers or streets on the Southbank. 

[Lunican]

Does this need approval from the Coast Guard?

[Johnny]

Well, there will be readers that follow the opinion of the TU like sheep. Unfortunately, the TU is rarely right on any opinionated viewpoint and even less likely to get it right when it comes to downtown. That ship will be awesome and if it doesn't come downtown because a bunch of ignorant suburbanites blocked it from coming, i'd be ticked!!!

You know, it would be great if downtown & historic Springfield could break away from Jacksonville altogether. We could have our own government. It could be the hottest spot in N. Florida without the current administration and all of the suburban know it all's screwing it up. 

[Seraphs]

Certainly, none of this garbage should come as a surprise to anyone.  The naysayers rarely if ever do any background checks on anything before they start their rants.  The ship would be an asset to the entire Jacksonville area.  Let's go with the floating museum.

[Coolyfett]

Lake... man I don't know about this. When I read the TU article I sorta found myself in agreement. I don't think the ship should be (right in the middle of) downtown or Mayport. The River wines and bends a lot before hitting the Atlantic. I'm thinking the river near Metro Park and the Stadium. That ship could go some where along Bay Street between Metro Park and the Berkmen Condos. I KNOW I KNOW that's still downtown, but what else is going on in this area?? Putting it near Rivercity Brewing Co. just seems like all the stuff around it will hide it. Shouldn't it stand out?

[thelakelander]

The best way for something to have success in the downtown core is to cram it in with nearby complementing uses.

Putting it near River City Brewing, MOSH, Friendship Fountain, the skyway station and the maritime museum are the things that will make it successful and bring additional connectivity and needed life to the Southbank.  Although smaller than a battleship or air craft carrier, its large enough that while it won't block skyline views, people will be able to see it from I-95, the Northbank and the Main Street Bridge.

The Landmar pier would be another decent location.....if the Shipyards site ever develops (don't hold your breath).  Placing it close to Metro Park without other complementing uses nearby will make it just as effective for downtown as that isolated park, the stadium or the convention center.

[Coolyfett]

The best way for something to have success in the downtown core is to cram it in with nearby complementing uses.


The Landmar pier would be another decent location.....if the Shipyards site ever develops (don't hold your breath).  Placing it close to Metro Park without other complementing uses nearby will make it just as effective for downtown as that isolated park, the stadium or the convention center.

In a way I was thinking that. I guess you were thinking right now. I was thinking years down the road (eastline on the Skyway completed). I see your point. Keyword: ISOLATED

[gatorback]

that's what I've been saying for like 2 entire pages of posts here.  Just doesn't seem safe.  Sorry.

[JeffreyS]

I think the south bank would really get a pick me up from this.  The river Taxi could use this the hospital and the Penisular(if it is built) for another stop.  The T.U. should get on board with a private project like this.