USS Adams could soon come to Jacksonville after nearly decade of efforts to get it here

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association said funding is now secured to bring the USS Charles F. Adams to downtown Jacksonville.

It's a big move for downtown redevelopment, and one that has been in the works for about a decade.

In April 2016, Action News Jax reported that $1 million was included in the state budget for the berthing of the ship. Now, another $2 million in public and private money was secured, according to Joe Snowberger, the CEO of the USS Adams Museum.

The USS Adams is also prominently displayed in renderings for Shad Khan’s vision for the shipyards.

The Downtown Investment Authority said it has not yet received documentation “that indicates the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association (JHNSA) has secured all of the required financing for the USS Adams project.”

Snowberger said he’s confident the funding that’s been secured will satisfy the requirements of the Downtown Investment Authority.

According to Snowberger, the money will also go toward dry docking the ship to get it ready to be towed to Jacksonville.

The dry dock period is expected to begin by either the end of November or early December.

Snowberger said the USS Adams will change the landscape of downtown and the local economy.

“How about 200,000 tourists a year coming to Jacksonville just to see the warship? How about reunion groups tripling in numbers, from 25, 30, 100 reunion groups a year bringing those dollars? Heads in beds, restaurants being eaten at, Uber rides being taken, airport flights coming in. So, economically, the return on investment is terrific,” Snowberger said.

The ship also has a local connection, given that it was stationed at Naval Station Mayport for a number of years while in service. Several former or retired sailors who live here also served aboard the USS Adams.

Cox Media Group