THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 1995 TAG: 9510130223
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Bill Reed's recent column about Nauticus (``Nauticus could learn from Marine Science Museum,'' Beacon, Oct. 1) exemplified editorial license at its worst. And his pronouncement that Nauticus was a ``waterfront turkey'' that had somehow ``flopped'' points to an editorial license that, in this case, should be revoked.
While community-building is on everyone's agenda, including The Virginian-Pilot's, Mr. Reed's parochial tone is decidedly divisive to this community spirit. The Virginia Marine Science Museum, the Air and Space Center, the Mariners' Museum and Nauticus are all distinct attractions, with different themes positioned in unique settings. Together, these attractions, plus the hundreds of other things to do and see in the region, all contribute to the quality of life of our residents and add to our ability to market The Virginia Waterfront to visitors.
Mr. Reed's observations run counter to those of journalists who have praised Nauticus in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, Southern Living magazine and on ``Today'' and ``Good Morning America.'' Most recently, Lisa Braun-Kenigsberg, in a special article to The Washington Post (``Travel with children: Shipshape in Norfolk,'' Sept. 24), told about her family's fun-filled adventures at Nauticus when forced indoors during a rainy day at Virginia Beach.
Mr. Reed's misinterpretation and cavalier attitude do a disservice to Nauticus and to the readers of The Beacon. He stated that Nauticus wasn't properly planned. Nauticus is one element of a long-term public-investment strategy to revitalize the Norfolk waterfront for everyone's enjoyment and benefit. The National Maritime Center Authority engaged the top consultants and planners in the industry for the project and held a public hearing to gather citizen input.
While Nauticus has not met projections, Mr. Reed fails to mention that more than 600,000 have bought tickets to Nauticus since it opened. (By the way, nearly 20 percent of in-state visitors to Nauticus this summer were Virginia Beach residents.)
Two quotes from The Beacon's sister publication, The Compass (the Virginian-Pilot's community paper for Norfolk), best sum up what I've been saying here: ``Despite the posturing of politicians and adult residents, the place is definitely a hit with children.'' (June 1995) and ``I recently took the plunged (visited Nauticus) and found the experience more to my liking than expected. Don't let the odd, dull-gray exterior fool you. Inside is a sophisticated nautical circus'' (August 1995).
Has it been smooth sailing for Nauticus? No. Is there more that needs to be done? Yes. But we believe that it has a bright future and will ultimately pay for itself and more, despite Mr. Reed's glib analysis.
Paul D. Fraim
Mayor, City of Norfolk by CNB