Exciting news for SS United States fans! The iconic ocean liner will continue to stay in South Philly as the conservancy for the ship works to settle a dispute with its landlord over the vessel’s sale.
A U.S. District Court recently temporarily halted an eviction order that required the ship to leave its dock at Pier 82 by Thursday. The eviction has been delayed as the conservancy and the ship’s landlord, Penn Warehousing, engage in court-supervised mediation to resolve their disagreements.
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These latest developments come after an urgent motion was filed by the conservancy on Tuesday, claiming that Penn Warehousing had obstructed the ship’s sale to Okaloosa County, Florida. The document states that Penn Warehousing demanded $3 million from the county, effectively halting the transfer of ownership and relocation beyond the eviction deadline. The conservancy alleges that Penn Warehousing’s actions were an attempt to seize and sell the vessel themselves.
“We remain steadfast in our determination to ensure that the legacy of America’s Flagship endures and inspires future generations,” the conservancy expressed in a statement. “While we were disappointed that Penn Warehousing continues to disparage and denigrate both the Conservancy and the historic symbol of our nation, we hope that Penn Warehousing will enter mediation in good faith.”
Craig Mills, attorney for Penn Warehousing, refuted the conservancy’s claims, calling them “irresponsible accusations” and “completely false.”
“Penn Warehousing is pleased that Judge Brodie agreed with our suggestion that these negotiations be conducted under the court’s supervision, so that all parties can come together in the same room, and the court can see for itself who really wants to get a deal done here,” Mills added.
Okaloosa County had a plan to acquire the SS United States to sink the ship and create an artificial reef. This proposal followed a similar one from another Florida county and a crowdfunding campaign aimed at “saving” the historic ocean liner, which holds the record for the fastest trans-Atlantic crossing.
In June, a judge had ordered the conservancy for the SS United States to move the vessel by Sept. 12, marking the end of a previous legal battle over their lease with Penn Warehousing.
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