BAYONNE, NJ December 8, 2006 – The USS Intrepid has finally arrived at The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. The historic World War II aircraft carrier will undergo repairs at Bayonne Dry Dock & Repair Corp, located on the eastern face of the Peninsula.

Originally expected to arrive at The Peninsula on November 6th, the ship’s rudder and propellers became stuck in the riverbed as tugboats attempted to pull the ship out of her berth. Navy divers worked feverishly over the next few weeks to free the vessel.

The Intrepid is being temporarily berthed at the Cape Liberty Cruise Port where it will be inspected before entering the dry dock. Once there, the ship will undergo general repair and restoration work. The exterior hull will also be sandblasted to bare metal and repainted, requiring approximately 9,000 gallons of paint.

Though the public is not allowed to board the Intrepid during her stay in Bayonne, they are welcome to view the ship from the Peninsula’s south shore greenway or from Harbor View Park at The Peninsula’s eastern tip.

“It is a great honor to have this historic vessel in Bayonne,” said Bayonne Mayor Joseph V. Doria, Jr. “I encourage everyone to come down to The Peninsula to see this glorious piece of American history.”

About The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor

Since the U.S. Army transferred complete ownership of the former military base in 2002, the BLRA has raised more than $50 million in government grants and interim lease payments to make infrastructure improvements needed to attract development. These improvements include new bulkheads along the base’s south side and environmental remediation that was completed last year, ahead of schedule. Other projects include the installation of a new sewer system and planning for a new electrical grid and new roads.

Redevelopment of The Peninsula is organized around the creation of six different, yet integrated districts.

In 2004, Cape Liberty Cruise Port opened, marking the first tangible step in the transformation of the 430-acre site. It resulted in 51 cruise ship calls in its first season and created 300 jobs. Since then, the Cruise Port has grown to become the third-ranking passenger port on the East Coast (after New York and Miami).

Early this year, the BLRA approved plans for development of another district, Harbor Station North, by Fidelco which will consist of mid-rise housing, retail space, and park space adjacent to the 45th Street light rail station.

The approval of redeveloper agreements with Trammel Crow Residential and Bayonne Bay Developers for portions of Bayonne Bay begins the transformation of the third district into a vibrant mixed-use waterfront community.

Conditional agreements with Boraie Development for a portion of the Landing District and Taylor Real Estate for portions of the Landing and Loft Districts signify progress in other districts as well.

The Landing will have a water transit docking facility surrounded by a commercial and entertainment area as well as a residential section with mid-rise housing. The Loft District will be converted to hip loft-style housing units adjacent to the ferry landing with views of lower New York Harbor, the Verrazano Bridge and the golf course.

For more information about The Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority, visit www.bayonnenj.org/blra.

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