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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 1999

Contact:  Frank Lennon
     (401) 831-8696

IT'S TIME TO LAUNCH THE SARATOGA AT QUONSET

While this is the most highly publicized EDC board agenda item in quite some time, it is not the only Quonset development recommendation due to be acted on this month. There's another important project up for vote that should be of concern to all Rhode Islanders. We are speaking of the proposal by the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc. to create an Air, Land & Sea Heritage and Technology Park at Quonset. Centerpiece of the attraction would be the aircraft carrier Saratoga, now mothballed at Coddington Cove in Middletown.

Action on this project has been delayed several times along the path of consideration while container port discussions dominated EDC staff attention. After several deferrals, however, the Quonset/Davisville Management Corporation (QDMC) board voted in June to recommend conditional approval of the Saratoga plans for the carrier pier.

This approval gives EDC the right, under certain circumstances (such as a new port proposal) to relocate or defer this project. Allowing the Saratoga group to move forward would not threaten any other major development alternatives.

A ratification vote on Saratoga's conditional access to the Carrier Pier was deferred from the August EDC board meeting. A few days ago, project organizers received word that action on the Saratoga project would probably be delayed again, this time until September 27.

We hope this deferral is the last. It is now crucial for the project to receive the blessing of the EDC board before the end of September.

The annual reunion of the USS Saratoga Association begins October 8 in Bremerton, WA. This group has pledged a $2 million fund raising campaign, and here is a once-a-year opportunity to re-kindle enthusiasm as well as obtain the up-front funding necessary to pay for the work necessary to meet the EDC conditions.

The Almond administration has alluded in recent weeks to a "back to the drawing board" approach to the port issue. We hope this does not cause projects such as ours to be put on a back burner while other port alternatives are examined.

Given recent history, another port proposal study could take many months. Saratoga project leaders are concerned about the potentially devastating effect such a delay might have on the enthusiasm which fuels this volunteer-driven effort.

To get to this point we have spent about $30,000 on preliminary market and engineering studies, printing and mailing costs and other communications expenses. Of this amount, about $17,000 has come from 105 individual donors in more than 30 states. The largest gift has been $1500; ten others contributed $500 or more. The average gift of the remaining 94 contributors was $95.82.

Kids, parents and others who wish us well have donated another $500 or so in nickels, quarters and dollar bills at special events such as the National Guard Air Show and the Navy's Memorial Day open house in Middletown. Project principals have advanced the balance.

Volunteer efforts need victories to keep this momentum going. A positive vote by the EDC Board would fire up that volunteer spirit, while a vote to table or further delay the conditional approval could dampen it.

And just as importantly, EDC Board endorsement could change the negative mindset that has afflicted the decision-making process on so many Rhode Island projects in recent years. Allowing this project to move forward would also give encouragement to other people with dreams. It would show that ordinary Rhode Islanders can still succeed against all odds, so long as they have a vision and the tenacity to pursue it.

It would demonstrate that the system still works--the American dream is still alive. A good idea, backed with hard work and grass roots support, can still flourish despite insider opposition or indifference.

Senate Majority Leader Paul Kelly, referring to the opening of the Providence Place Mall, was quoted in the Journal recently as saying, "This is the result of dreamers dreaming dreams...God bless the dreamers."

Does ongoing port deliberation require the Saratoga dream to be shelved? We don't think so, and a number of local, state and federal political leaders agree.

At its August meeting the QDMC board recommended rejection of the port proposal currently on the table. North Kingstown Representative Suzanne Henseler, House Majority Whip, suggested EDC complete its master plan for Quonset before leaping into a new port proposal.

Representative Henseler has made clear, however, that her suggestion was not intended to delay other non-port projects in the pipeline.

"I feel inclusion of the Saratoga project in whatever final master plan may result is appropriate and compatible with the mixed-use called for in all responsible development scenarios," she says. "Tourism and recreation elements can coexist in a 3000 acre project with other commercial and industrial uses. Rhode Island has an opportunity with the Saratoga proposal to host a unique educational and tourist attraction, and we should take advantage of it sooner rather than later."

"In light of the efforts the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation has put forth to date, I fully support the group's request for a suitable berth at Quonset, and for granting this approval without further delay."

One comment we often hear is, "Why would anyone oppose this concept?"

In fact, NO elected official has openly opposed the idea, from Governor Almond on down. That's not surprising, considering the tremendous outpouring of bipartisan, grass roots enthusiasm this concept has generated--starting with broad and enthusiastic support in North Kingstown, the host community.

Supporters range across a wide political spectrum. Democratic Congressman Bob Weygand, co-chairman of our Advisory Council, has been a strong supporter from the beginning. Republican Lincoln Chafee has also written a strong letter of endorsement. Former Democratic Governor (and strong port supporter) Bruce Sundlun joined our two most recent Lieutenant Governors, Democrat Charles Fogarty and Republican Bernard Jackvony in endorsing the project.

Our supporters include many who were unable to find common ground during the Quonset stakeholder discussions. Environmentalists such as Save the Bay have confirmed the Saratoga project is consistent with their future vision for the Bay, while labor leaders have also expressed support, recognizing our proposal is in addition to rather than instead of a port project.

More than a score of veterans groups, representing 115,000 Rhode Island men and women who have served in the military, are strong advocates for this Park. Educators are quick to recognize the potential benefits to our children of all ages, ranging from a safe haven for after school activities to vocational training for school-to-work programs.

At the June QDMC board meeting, Dr. Jim Halley, North Kingstown Superintendent of Schools confirmed his department is enthusiastic about "the potential development of educational programs in coordination with the Saratoga Museum project."

Bob Silvestre, VP for Academic Affairs at CCRI, wrote that "CCRI will be an enthusiastic supporter," citing the development of the machine shops aboard the carrier into a vocational school and tying vocational training into a business incubator. Assessments CCRI has done in conjunction with the manufacturing community reflect "a clear need" for such services, according to Silvestre.

To attract the attention of today's youth a successful museum must be more exciting than what's available on the home computer. This Park will become a living laboratory for cutting-edge computer technology; our aim is to create exhibits that bring alive Quonset's past and help anchor it firmly in the technological future. Last spring, more than 160 students from the 7th and 8th grades at Davisville Middle School wrote to Governor Almond asking him to support this vision of their future..

Some decision-makers have expressed concern about "another Rhode Island museum" at the expense of industrial development. This project is first and foremost a powerful economic engine which will pay its own way and then some. It will generate half a million visitors, create more than 600 jobs and provide an annual economic impact of some $35 million.

Edward Mazze, Dean of the College of Business Administration at URI, believes the Park will be an important component in the development of the region. "In terms of job creation, attracting tourists and as a source of revenue the Center could be a powerful part of the State's economic platform in attracting new industry and keeping current industry," he says.

Even Moody's Investor Services, the municipal bond rating firm, has weighed in on our behalf. In a recent press release announcing an A-1 rating for the Town of North Kingstown, Moody's cited the "creation of an air-sea-land museum with a decommissioned aircraft carrier" along with enhanced freight rail service capabilities and the proposal for a container port as the major economic development activities underway which contributed to the town's high rating.

Despite all this support, we now find ourselves in a classic Catch-22 situation. We are willing to perform whatever additional studies are necessary (within reason, of course) to assuage any residual concerns. The problem is, we need the state of Rhode Island to say, "OK, if you DO successfully meet those requirements, we WILL let you locate your project at Quonset."

Such conditional approval is necessary because without site control, we cannot apply to the Navy. Without site control, our investment bankers will not start their due diligence. The formal launch of our fund raising efforts--necessary to pay for the studies the state has requested--also awaits the site control decision.

The Navy will not donate the ship unless they are convinced of the validity of the economic projections, and they must be satisfied with our answers to a host of other engineering and environmental questions. Similarly, Greenwich Partners will not provide the $5 million bond financing unless they are also convinced of the validity of our numbers.

Therefore, the best way for the state to get the answers it wants is to allow us to proceed to the next step.

In his August 22 column about the opening of the Providence Place Mall, Journal columnist Charles Bakst criticized the negative Rhode Island mindset concerning new and innovative ideas.

"Until now, we have been our own worst enemies," Bakst opined. He went on to quote local PR executive Dave Duffy, who asked, What's with it with our own people when you have to fight tooth and nail to get something done?'"

We are asking the same question. For 18 months our group has carefully navigated this project through the treacherous shoals of development approval. Every objection raised has been answered, or will be answered under the terms of conditional approval. Pledges and/or commitments for the entire $7.5 million needed to open the doors have already been received.

An editorial in the August 23, 1999 Providence Business News observed, "It seems that with each major project, this state is struck with a terminal case of indecisiveness, be it the Mall, the Convention Center, the Airport project. These all eventually succeeded, but not without considerable delay."

The writer went on to make the point that the speed and firmness with which state leaders make decisions on proposals may have as much effect on business relocation and expansion decisions as taxes, cost of living, and quality of life issues.

As Congressman Weygand put it recently, "Now it's time for the state to step up and do its part."

Providence native Frank Lennon, a West Point graduate, is President of the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc. Further information about the group's activities can be found by calling (401) 831-8696.

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Last Updated:
9/29/01