Major $24 million redevelopment planned to renovate Battleship New Jersey
The Battleship New Jersey is receiving the largest capital investment since it opened in 2001, a $24.25 million redevelopment that will help sustain the historic ship for years.
The bulk of the investment is going to improve the guest experience by helping build a $9.5 million visitor center on land next to the ship.
"Our guests should not have to search for the front door to our nation's most historic landmarks," Battleship New Jersey CEO Marshall Spevak said in a news conference. "School groups should have a proper place to visit, and families should have better food and visitor amenities available. Our new digital center will provide that."
Construction is expected to begin mid-year in 2027 and last about two years.
The project is funded by $19.8 million in tax credits from a New Jersey Economic Development Authority program.
Here are some other highlights of the redevelopment:
- $5.5 million for a parking structure at Wiggins Marina
- $6 million for improvements onboard the ship
In 2024, the Battleship New Jersey made a rare trip away from its home in Camden for repairs at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal.
The ship was a commissioned military vessel for 50 years, serving through World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and conflicts in the Middle East. It's the most decorated battleship in the United States' 250-year history.
