Could moving a WWII-era icon bolster visits to this East Bay city?

"RICHMOND - Eager to attract more visitors and generate more revenue for the city's port, officials hope to relocate a World War II era ship to a more frequented part of Richmond's marina. The Red Oak Victory, staged in a basin in Richmond's port, is one of the last known surviving ships built in the city during World War II. The floating museum is one of many sites from the era that honors Richmond's contribution to the war effort."

"Officials now hope to drive more visitors to the ship and some of its other sites by relocating the Red Oak Victory to an area they believe would have more synergy with other war era sites and public transportation. "This relocation would place the SS Red Oak Victory in a more publicly accessible location, close to both the ferry terminal and the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park Visitor Center," staff said in a report to the City Council."

Officials plan to relocate the WWII-era Red Oak Victory from its current basin to a more frequented part of Richmond's marina to attract more visitors and generate port revenue. The ship is one of the last surviving vessels built in Richmond during WWII and operates as a floating museum honoring the city's wartime contribution. A more accessible berth would sit near the ferry terminal and the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park Visitor Center, creating synergy with other sites and public transit. Relocation would free the current basin for commercial maritime uses. Volunteers recently repaired the ship, while some local figures remain skeptical.

Read at The Mercury News