The Examiner recently noted that Baltimore “has some world class museums.”
Where? Are they true tourist destinations where people travel exclusively to visit? Do these facilities require government subsidy? Are they truly interactive with the public, and do they encourage return visits?
The only one that comes to mind is Fort McHenry. But to visit this facility repeatedly, you would have to be a big history buff about the War of 1812.
I propose adding a truly world class museum to the region: The USS Forrestal at Sparrows Point in Baltimore County.
This is not the first time I have proposed this project. I was the chairman and CEO of the first effort to get the USS Forrestal into the Port of Baltimore from 1993 to 1999. Then, as now, there is no good reason not to launch it.
Over the years, various World War II Essex class aircraft carrier museums have been established. The Intrepid (New York), the Yorktown (South Carolina), Lexington (Texas), Midway (San Diego) and Hornet (San Francisco) operate as museums ? each with a positive cash flow.
The Lexington in Corpus Christi exemplifies the positive effect of these tourist destinations. Its first year of operation, which was short (mid-October 1992 to July 31, 1993), the economic impact to Corpus Christi was $50,503,215.00. An article in the Corpus Christi Caller Times on Nov. 10, 1993, said, “? it was expected the first year would bring 330,000 visitors; there was actually 471,750. Where operating income were projected at $2.7 million, it was actually $3.65 million.”
In recent years, I have received many phone calls from as far as California requesting reservations to visit the Forrestal. A Boy Scouts group from Bakersfield, Cal., wanted to know if they could spend the night on this vessel. I had to turn them down.
What events could be held on such a massive platform? (The ship flight deck is about 4 acres and has a hangar bay of 75,000 square feet. It is 1,039 feet long and 252 feet wide.)
John Deere Corp. invited all their distributors down to the Lexington over two months. The company rented the ship, exhibiting heir lawn, garden and farm equipment throughout it. The company conducted classes in the Ready Rooms. Cost: $150,000 a week.
“JAG,” the television show, rented Lexington to film a segment. Cost: $330,000.
Various concerts and shows would be held. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra would definitely be invited!
Perhaps we could get Jimmy Buffett and his entourage to visit for a week. Concertgoers would not have to leave ? they could “rack out” for the night for a modest fee.
This is a major undertaking, but the demographics and economics are conclusive. Our group, NuVision, has the opportunity to acquire a billion dollar asset for cents on the dollar. The result of this annexation would result in the creation of jobs that have been lost over the past and the revitalization of an economically depressed area. The image of a “Super Carrier” in Baltimore carries the implication “Super City.” I think we deserve this title.
(For more information about the Forrestal, watch the documentary “Seconds from Disaster” about a fire on board the ship at 9 p.m. tonight on the National Geographic channel.)
Frank Eurice is a member of the NuVision Marine Ltd. board of directors and a local businessman. He can be reached at [email protected].
