THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 25, 1996 TAG: 9605240008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 51 lines
Portsmouth officials were so happy this week you'd have thought their ship had come in.
Actually, eight ships - five destroyers and three frigates - are coming in, with nearly 2,500 sailors and the staffs of two destroyer squadrons.
Formerly at Norfolk Naval Station, the warships will be berthed at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, only a few blocks from downtown.
The shipyard is older than America, but warships haven't called Portsmouth home since about 1907, when Teddy Roosevelt's Great White Fleet departed.
``It's kind of like the good old days when we had a lot of ships in,'' said Portsmouth Mayor Gloria Webb. ``It means we're going to have more people in the city, and hopefully they'll find we're as friendly and great as we are and will choose to move here and make Portsmouth their home.''
A welcoming luncheon for the sailors was scheduled for Tuesday but postponed in deference to the memorial service for Adm. Jeremy ``Mike'' Boorda. The luncheon probably will be held within two weeks, and sailors will get free tickets to downtown attractions.
City officials eagerly await more pedestrians downtown and in fact will operate a free trolley from the shipyard through downtown to the Elizabeth River ferry, which goes to Norfolk Waterside.
``If we can provide a quality experience to these men on these ships,'' Mayor Webb said, ``the word will spread rapidly. We'll do everything we can do to be good hosts.''
The city is contributing 900 parking spaces outside the shipyard gates and providing officers for a joint patrol, along with the shipyard security force.
It's doubtful many families will move to Portsmouth immediately, since the ships already were berthed in Hampton Roads. But if subsequent crews find the city attractive, future sailors might move their families there or retire there.
The biggest initial impact from the ships should be increased spending downtown. How big that impact will be is not known yet, though there are a number of downtown restaurants, a big-screen theater serving food and drink, clothing stores and five museums. Olde Towne, with homes from the 18th and 19th centuries, is nearby.
Portsmouth Director of Economic Development Matthew James said the ships could help business recruitment. ``Put yourself in the position of a company,'' he said. ``If you came into town and saw a lot of people walking up and down the street, wouldn't you be more likely to open a business?''
Portsmouth has had a progressive government for a number of years and is a better and safer city than people who have never been there think. With the warships berthed there, many people will see Portsmouth for the first time, and the city is working to ensure that they like what they see. by CNB