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SS United States Redevelopment Project E-Newsletter
September 28, 2012
SS United States at sea
SS United States Redevelopment Project Update

 

Dear Fellow SS United States Supporter:

 

With the transition to fall, we are taking clear and significant steps on the path to a successful redevelopment of our national flagship. As planned, we will announce a selected development partner at the end of our Request for Proposals process in November. In the meantime, here's an overview of where things stand.

 

As previously reported, our RFP process began in April.  Over 200 firms were contacted with news of our intention to re-purpose the SS United States as a permanently moored adaptive mixed-use development. Out of the dozen serious respondents, we have selected two finalists to submit full proposals and we are working closely with each to ensure comprehensive plans are presented to our Blue Riband Panel for review. A recommendation on the winning proposal will then be sent to the Conservancy's board of directors for their official selection.
SS United States, Rendering by Stephen Varenhorst Architects
SS United States as part of a multi-use redevelopment plan, Rendering by Stephen Varenhorst Architects

 

A proposal to site the ship next to the highly successful Harrah's Casino in Chester, PA offers a synergistic approach to the preservation of the ship. In this plan, the SS United States would house a hotel, dining facilities, event spaces, and a world-class museum. The ship would feature significantly in larger, ongoing community and economic development efforts in this historic city.

 

A proposal to site the ship on the Hudson River in Midtown Manhattan could tie into other major development projects occurring in this neighborhood.  This plan would return the SS United States to her original home port in a complex featuring hotel, dining, retail, event space, state-of-the-art experiential museum, and other uses. The plan calls for maximizing green energy systems.

 

Please stand by for more details as we complete our assessment and selection process. Needless to say, this is an exciting time and we are very fortunate for the vision, commitment, and talent of our two potential development partners. They clearly understand both the historical and cultural significance of the SS United States and the incredible commercial potential offered by the vessel's more than 500,000 square feet of usable space.

 

We have made a lot of progress in the past year but there are still some hurdles to clear. We fully intend to do so.

 

Thank you for your interest and support and best regards for an enjoyable autumn. Barring any unexpected, late-breaking developments, I will provide another update in November.

 

Respectfully,
 
Dan McSweeney 
Managing Director 
SS United States Redevelopment Project