KEYS VANDENBERG ARTIFICIAL REEF PROJECT SHOULD MOVE FORWARD
KEY WEST, Fla. -- The State of Florida is poised to contribute up to $1.6 million to satisfy a shipyard lien so a 524-foot decommissioned Air Force missile tracking vessel can be scuttled as an artificial reef off the Florida Keys, Key West officials said Tuesday.
The money to complete the General Hoyt S. Vandenberg project is to come from an Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development grant.
But a contract between the state and the city has to be executed and additional details are pending.
A federal judge recently ordered the auction of the ship after a contractor failed to pay Colonna's Shipyard in Norfolk, Va., for cleanup of the vessel.
Key West City Commissioner Bill Verge said efforts are being facilitated between the city, Florida and lending institution officials to persuade the judge to stay the auction while a settlement is reached.
"This has been an incredible effort (to get state funds)," said Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson. "We have to thank (Florida) Gov. (Charlie) Crist and OTTED for coming through during tough economic times."
Verge predicted the Vandenberg would be towed from Colonna's Shipyard in Norfolk, to Key West in December with a scuttling to take place in February 2009.
