
DATE: Monday, March 3, 1997                 TAG: 9703030032

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   49 lines

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO. . . A BATTLESHIP FOR NORFOLK

Two years ago, there was talk of docking the Iowa on the Norfolk waterfront as a tourist attraction.

Bringing the battleship Iowa to Norfolk is a proposal in mothballs.

``Not a lot has happened'' in the past year and a half, Councilman Randy Wright concedes.

Wright, who is heading up the effort to dock the World War II-era battleship next to Nauticus as a tourist attraction, says he hasn't lost hope. The vessel is one of four Iowa-class battleships the Navy has offered to cities or non-profit groups.

All of this comes as a surprise to the woman who manages the Navy ship donation program in Crystal City, Va.

Gloria Carvalho, who took over the job more than a year ago, said she had no idea Norfolk was even interested in the idea. She said she's received no contacts or application from the city.

Groups in New York and on the West Coast have been vying for the battleship, she said.

Wright said he had been waiting to see if the Navy would tow the Iowa here as it did with the battleship Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin came to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in October 1996 to retire after being forced from its resting place at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, which was turned over to commercial development in January 1996.

Wright also said he's still working on getting private funds to pay for berthing and maintaining the ship and complying with environmental regulations.

Although the ships are given free, just towing the Iowa here and preparing a home for it would cost between $1.5 million and $5 million.

He said he's still hopeful that another city will not win the Iowa.

``If that happens it happens, but I'd still love to see it in Norfolk.'' MEMO: Correspondent Jane Harper wrote and compiled these stories.

Have you been wondering whatever happened to someone or something in

the news? Call INFOLINE, 640-5555 extension 7878, and leave your

suggestion for correspondent Jane Harper. ILLUSTRATION: STAFF/File photo

If Councilman Randy Wright has his way, the Iowa will be a Norfolk

tourist attraction. He's part of an effort to dock the World War

II-era battleship next to Nauticus. In this 1985 photograph, the

Iowa heads to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth.