by Emily Steinberg
Since 1996, the SS United States has been docked at Pier 82 on the Delaware River. She hovers there, her enormous smokestacks painted a fading red, like a ghost from a time of American prosperity and optimism. Built in 1952, and larger than the Titanic, the United States broke transatlantic speed records and was the epitome of luxury. Now she sits rusting, waiting silently for a new purpose and possible new life.
Enter H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest, the cable billionaire and well loved Philadelphia philanthropist. Mr. Lenfest has provided support that will cover the cost of maintaining the ship for 20 months. There are numerous proposals of what to do with the ship, including putting the her at the center of a new Foxwoods Casino project. But the real issue is keeping the ship in Philadelphia. The Mayor should use his muscle to keep the SS United States here and find an interesting use for her. If we don't act, the ship will go to New York, or Miami or some other city who can see through the rusting facade to the gem beneath. Don't allow another treasure, which could become a part of the city's unique cultural fabric, to slip through our hands for lack of a good idea. Show some vision Philadelphia! Keep this important piece of maritime history on the Delaware.
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