USS JFK Carrier Project in RI
RI Aviation Hall of Fame
The Project Vision
Mission Statement • Project Description: Broad Appeal • Education • Community Benefits • Disaster Relief • Why We Will Succeed
Project Description: Broad Appeal
Although the supercarrier USS John F Kennedy will be the centerpiece of this experience, we intend to break the mold of the traditional static floating museum by offering exciting new technology and broad-based recreational experiences. Opinion polls and focus groups have shown that the very word "museum" can evoke associations with thoughts such as "stuffy", "dusty" and "passive" from potential visitors. Changing that mindset will broaden public appeal, round out the visitor’s experience and add to the revenue potential of the facility.
Blessed with unlimited interior space for growth and four-season use, the carrier itself is an ideal venue for activity-driven experiences with appeal to a broad audience. John F Kennedy's four acre flight deck, 75,000 square feet of hangar bay (with 25' overheads), more than 3000 compartments and more than 370,000 cubic feet of dedicated storage space - equivalent to a six story warehouse occupying an entire New York City block. A unique mix of ship and shore-based entertainment offerings will provide an experience that will go far beyond that offered by any other historic naval vessel.
The project will include an Education and Technology Center aboard the carrier, as well as various landside elements described below. An Immersion Live-Link Theater (successor to Dr. Robert Ballard's very successful Jason Project) will be a major highlight, allowing visitors to see real-time results of future undersea explorations. Complementing the theater will be exhibitions reflecting Dr. Ballard's research about and exploration of lost warships, such as the USS Yorktown, John F. Kennedy’s PT-109 and the German Battleship Bismarck.
Recognizing that most museums can display only a small fraction of their collections due to space constraints, we intend to use some of our extra space to offer a cultural "Taste of Rhode Island". In this area other museums in the region will be able to feature traveling or permanent exhibits to entice John F Kennedy visitors to come to their facilities, potentially extending their stay in the state and increasing the economic impact.
The USS JFK Project would include attractions such as a bar & grille on the ship's fantail.
The balance of the project would feature a broad spectrum of attractions and educational elements with a unifying Air/Land/Sea theme, including those relating to our new frontiers--particularly outer space and undersea. Motion simulators and other interactive attractions will make up a "Virtual Theme Park". Rounding out the family appeal will be additional recreation and family entertainment areas and waterfront access not currently available to the public.
In addition to the heritage and family attraction elements, the facility will include significant vocational training programs, community meeting and recreation space, and even below-market rental office and program space for other non-profits. The educational programs and community activities will be enhanced by the fact that they are all located aboard the largest warship ever opened to the public as an attraction and museum.
In future phases, the Park may also include a themed waterpark element; an exciting “dark ride” through the bowels of the ship (as suggested/requested by our high school market researchers); an expanded Visitor Center; and special effects shows and demos. Even an aquarium, perhaps one featuring creatures from very deep water, is under consideration.
SPECIAL EVENTS SPACE:
The desirability of an aircraft carrier for non-museum related events also helps broaden the public appeal, and generates new and repeat visitation.
The USS JFK Project would include group camp programs for Boy Scouts and school groups.
The Museum of Flight in Seattle rents out its facilities (primarily the main display hangar) for more than 400 special events a year. These events include weddings, corporate dinners, graduation parties, proms, trade shows, small concerts—almost any event where the attractiveness of a “different” venue appeals to the meeting planner. The special events potential of the hangar bays and flight deck of an aircraft carrier is virtually unlimited, as the management of the USS Midway operation in San Diego has learned. Special event dates are filling up fast, with some reservations being booked beyond 2013.
There will be approximately 20,000 ft of flexible (undedicated) exhibit space within JFK's hangar bays, and additional tens of thousands of square feet in adjacent compartments. This represents a significant venue for small trade-shows and similar events. Many of our large exhibits (such as the aircraft) will be movable for large revenue-producing events, raising the available square footage in the hangar bay to about 50,000. This type of use will also offer an opportunity to attract additional corporate sponsors.
CONVENIENCE FEATURES WITHIN THE ATTRACTION
• Modern, comfortable restrooms
• Places for people to sit and rest
• Elevator up side of island
• Elevator tour of lower spaces
• Video tour for disabled
FOOD SERVICE & RETAIL
• Ship's Galley themed restaurant; eat the way the sailors ate!
• Quick Stop Café, light fare with hands-on activities and games for kids
• Main Street USA Soda Fountain: have a fountain soft drink or a scoop of homemade ice cream in a 1940s atmosphere
• “Big John’s” Bar & Grill on the fantail: USS JFK’s finest dining with a view of the water and a cuisine that highlights her many ports of call during her remarkable career
• Vending machines strategically located in shipboard rest areas
• Ship's Store: a family retail space with a fine collection of items to satisfy everyone from the young mother to the military enthusiast