While plans are already in place to turn the SS United States into an artificial reef, Quadrozzi Concrete is making a last-ditch effort to save it, writes Ryan Erik King for Jalopnik.
The Brooklyn-based concrete magnate wants to instead convert it into an office space.
After a dispute over $800,000 in back rent, the SS United States was evicted from its longtime home at Pier 82 in South Philadelphia.
Due to the fact that the ocean liner can no longer move under its own power and has no other place to remain docked long-term, it forced the SS United States Conservancy to sell the vessel.
It was sold to Okaloosa County in Florida’s Panhandle, whose vision is to sink the ship off the coast and turn it into a tourist attractive for divers.
However, John Quadrozzi Jr., head of Quadrozzi Concrete, instead envisions the ship as a “floating ecosystem” revolving around sustainability.
“Coworking space, incubators. Preferably things that are more maritime and environmentally focused…The vessel is just filled with small spaces in it, which would be ideal for that type of use,” Quadrozzi said. “It gets built up in increments. There are residences. There are commercial spaces. There are industrial spaces.”
Read more about Quadrozzi Concrete’s idea for an alternate use for the SS United States at Jalopnik.
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