JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Naval Museum announced that the USS Orleck will be closed until further notice as officials prepare for its move to Pier 1.
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The ship’s movement comes after several delays due to agreement disputes. The original 10-year agreement for the Orleck was approved in August 2021. It was set to expire in October 2022, but Jacksonville Naval Station extended the deadline six months due to Pier 1 not being ready to support the ship upon arrival in Downtown Jacksonville in March 2022.
However, in extending the agreement, Jacksonville Naval Museum had exhausted its authority to grant extensions, and the city was requiring the ship to move from in front of the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront hotel by March 31. Since the Pier still wasn’t ready, the city needed to provide utilities for the ship until development is complete, which was outlined in the new agreement.
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Jacksonville City Council voted 16-0 on March 21 to approve measures that would support the ship until Pier 1 is fully developed. This includes an added $50,000 to the 2022-23 budget to help pay for temporary electricity and utilities connections.
The USS Orleck is scheduled to move this Monday at 9:45 a.m., and it’s expected to take an hour.
The USS Orleck will be closed beginning on Friday March 31st until further notice. The ship is making preparations to move to Pier 1. pic.twitter.com/jTkbW3RqWg
— Jacksonville Naval Museum (@JaxNavalMuseum) March 31, 2023
For those who would like to watch the USS Orleck move on Monday April 3rd, the ship is expected to leave the Main St Bridge at 9:45am and arrive at 10:45am. Sorry for the day mix up. pic.twitter.com/dZY9ubpi7j
— Jacksonville Naval Museum (@JaxNavalMuseum) March 30, 2023
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