Dear Chapter Members and Supporters,
As you probably have heard by now, there is a reasonable chance that the SS United States will return to her home port of New York City. Though no specific pier or exact location has been decided upon, developers are very interested in bringing our beloved ship back to the NYC waterfront and converting her into the stationary dockside mixed-use attraction we all have been hoping for. However, as good as this news may be, at the moment nothing is written in stone and nothing is guaranteed. The Big U's fate is still delicate.
This is why your help is needed now more than ever. The only way we increase the Big U's chances of a renaissance in NYC is to let as many of the city's local politicians know exactly how much the ship is loved, respected and revered. The proverbial iron has never been hotter than it is right now. So, it is paramount that we strike by having the-powers-that-be hear from their constituents immediately.
 | | Graphic by NY Chapter co-chair Paul Stipkovich. |
The ship's future truly hinges on how well we as individual citizens can convey to government leaders not only how important the SS United States is as a historic icon, but also (and more importantly) how important the ship will be to NYC and the nation as a future icon.
With most of the groundwork and heavy-lifting already being done, we are asking you to now team up and help bring the dream to fruition. Below are the names and addresses of all the key people who need to hear from us. Please take the time to write a few lines, in your own words, as to why you feel the SS United States needs to come to New York City.
To help facilitate the constructing of your letters, we have included some talking points below that can help pique the interest and attention of the recipients. Feel free to pick and choose from these points the ones you personally find to be the best reasons for NYC to reclaim its lost landmark. We also encourage you to add your own reasons as to why you are so confident that New York City will be a better place in which to live and/or to visit once the Big U is brought back.
Each and every single letter is important to adequately depict the ship's vast and diverse popularity. It will take thousands of these personal letters to convince the movers and shakers that the SS United States is well worth saving and repurposing. Please ask your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to take a few moments of their time do the same.
We thank you in advance for your participation in this important campaign.
Sincerely,
Paul Stipkovich & Carl Weber
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Several Reasons the SS United States
Should Return to NY
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- The SS United States is one of the most iconic examples of American engineering and ingenuity ever built.
- Full redevelopment of the ship will become a valuable economic and community development project that will improve the New York waterfront and create 2,000 jobs in New York across the spectrum of incomes, including many ship construction jobs at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
- There have been many constructive talks with potential investors/real estate developers, relevant regulatory bodies, and community members regarding how the ship can come to New York City as a permanently-moored vessel.
- The majestic beauty of her exterior would grace and enhance any waterfront lucky enough to have her.
- The enormity of her interior space has endless possibilities to house a plethora of commercial enterprises and community-based organizations.
- A one-of-a-kind American icon such as the United States would bring an immeasurable amount of civic pride to NYC.
- New York is the most ideal city to capitalize on the potential of converting America's Flagship into a 21st Century epicenter for business and tourism.
- The SS United States would be an asset to any American port city BUT New York is hands-down the most deserving to have such a jewel in her crown.
- The SS United States was designed to be and succeeded at being "America abroad". During her career of traversing the Atlantic Ocean and cruising the Caribbean, New York was her one and only home.
- No other city could provide a better permanent home for the SS United States and no other man-made structure could better enhance New York City.
- Her long, graceful profile and her towering, raked funnels will quickly become as much a sought after photo-op as any skyscraper or public sculpture, as the SS United States is both architecture and art.
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Key Government Leaders
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To download a printable version of this list, please click HERE.
New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
250 Broadway Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
Speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
| New York State Senator Brad Hoylman
322 8th Avenue, Suite 1700
New York, NY 10001
hoylman@nysenate.gov
| New York State Senator Adriano Espaillat
5030 Broadway
New York, NY 10034
espailla@nysenate.gov
| New York State Senator Daniel Squadron
209 Joralemon Street, Suite 310
Brooklyn, NY 11201
squadron@nysenate.gov
| New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery
30 3rd Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
montgome@nysenate.gov
| New York State Assembly Member Richard Gottfried
242 West 27th Street
New York, NY 10001
GottfriedR@assembly.state.ny.us
| New York State Assembly Member F�lix Ortiz
404 55th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11220
OrtizF@assembly.state.ny.us
| New York State Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal
230 West 72nd Street, Suite 2F
New York, NY 10023
RosentL@assembly.state.ny.us
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SS United States Conservancy P.O. Box 32115 Washington, DC 20007 (888)-488-7787 |
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