By Cantrell White Communications (http://cantrellwhite.com/jacksonville-jaguars-reveal-big-plans-floridas-first-naval-warship-museum/)
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ release of its plans to revitalize the North Florida Shipyards in downtown Jacksonville includes hosting Florida’s first naval warship museum. Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association (JHNSA) Executive Director Joe Snowberger said he is thrilled with the monumental announcement by the local National Football League franchise and its owner, Shad Khan.
“Shad Khan and the entire Jacksonville Jaguars organization have, once again, demonstrated their enormous commitment to the people of Jacksonville and the military community that is so deeply interwoven into our businesses, organizations, and neighborhoods. We are deeply honored that Mr. Khan’s unprecedented vision to revitalize downtown Jacksonville includes the USS Adams Museum as one of the attractions of this world-class project.”
Snowberger added that the inclusion of Florida’s first naval warship museum in the organization’s plans for the development of the Shipyards was first discussed last summer. Today’s statement by Populous Senior Architect and Principal Ben Stindt solidified that promise when Stindt displayed a rendering of the Shipyards project featuring the USS Adams, adding that, “The USS Adams will find a permanent home at the Shipyards…”
Daniel Bean, President of the JHNSA said he expects even more community members will step forward to donate funds and volunteer to assist with the project. Barring any unforeseen hurdles, the warship should arrive on or about June 1, 2015 and could be ready for public tours as early as Veterans’ Day later this year. According to Bean, the USS Adams Museum will provide a top-notch entertainment and educational experience for visitors and will attract tourism dollars to downtown Jacksonville. Bean also confirmed that the JHNSA is ready now to invest the 1.5 million dollars it will take to begin restoration work on the ship.
“Today, thanks to this extraordinary show of support by our Jacksonville Jaguars, we are ready to reach out to those specialists who we know are available on the First Coast to begin the first phase of restoration work on this last surviving USS Adams class warship. There are national companies capable of handling this prestigious project, but we want to award this 1.5 million dollar contract to a local company that we know employs local experts; the welders, the iron workers, and others, who call Northeast Florida home.”
Once in operation, the USS Adams Museum will serve as a self-sustaining salute to honor America’s military veterans, inspire and educate the youth of Jacksonville, and draw tens of thousands of visitors to the downtown area each year.