October 14, 2018
Mr. Steven Heuer, Director
Bureau of Revenue, Cash Flow Debt
Office of the Budget
333 Market Street, 18th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-2210
Dear Mr. Heuer:
I am writing to express my support for the approval of a $4.5MRedevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant for the Historic Olympia Restoration at Independence Seaport Museum project in the City of Philadelphia. ISM has submitted a RACP business plan for consideration in Round 1 of 2015.
Together with the redevelopment of the museum building itself, theoverall project represents a $42.9 M investment on the Delaware River waterfront. Prior to reconstruction of the museum and construction of a new parking garage and adjacent mixed use facility, the Olympia must first be relocated and undergo extensive restoration.
A National Historic Landmark, USS Olympia (C-6) helped secure victory for the United States in the Spanish-American War in 1898 and later carried the body of the Unknown Soldier from France to Arlington, Virginia, in 1921. As a popular floating museum, Olympia today plays a vital role in the economic life of the Delaware River waterfront by promoting tourism.
However, for many years, Olympia was a victim of neglect. Saved from the scrap yards, but otherwise largely forgotten, she lay in “mothballs” at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard from 1922 to 1958. Though well intentioned, the Cruiser Olympia Association, charged with restoration of the ship, had neither the resources nor the expertise to properly preserve this unique American treasure. By 1996, her decks leaked profusely, her hull was a mass of corrosion, and she may have achieved the all-time record among floating vessels for length of time without dry-docking. The Independence Seaport Museum, recognizing her historical significance and importance in Philadelphia maritime tradition, adopted Olympia and since that date has worked to renew and to preserve this remarkable vessel for future generations.
To ensure her long-term survival, which is not yet guaranteed, Olympia must be towed to a dry-dock facility where she will undergo extensive hull repairs and deck replacements. Olympia was last dry-docked in 1945. Today, her hull is seriously corroded, especially along the wind-and-water line, and she needs extensive hull-plate repair. Olympia currently has more than 70 patched holes in her hull, and more than 700 patches were made on her exterior decking in 2014 alone. In addition, all of Olympia’s exterior decks need replacement to ensure the long-term preservation of the interior of the vessel.
Restoring Olympiainvolvesriver dredging and tow preparation; hull repair; re-decking, including asbestos abatement and removal; steel fabrication; and construction of a new berth. As a National Historic Landmark and popular tourist attraction, The Olympiaplays a vital role in the economic life of the Delaware River waterfront; and RACP funding is requested to supportthis portion of the project so that the next phases may begin.
Your support of the restoration and relocation of the historic Olympia through approval of RACP funding will allow the Independence Seaport Museum to continue its mission, and support the redevelopment of the waterfront as envisioned by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC). I urge your favorable consideration of this request. Thank you for your time and support.
Respectfully,
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