City’s Historic Waterfront District is honored as the future location celebrating the rich history of this vital branch of the U.S. military. The final permits will ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act necessary for development projects that require dredging.
Artist’s rendition of future Museum complex.
In May 2020, the United States Coast Guard Museum Association took the significant added steps of filing for project permits with the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers and the State of Connecticut to build along the shoreline of the Thames River.
Association President, CAPTAIN Wes Pulver, USCG (Ret.) was quoted as saying this latest milestone had been reached due to “fantastic” cooperation between Federal, State, and City officials.
The additional filings were needed due to a proposed project expansion that calls for the appropriation of added land that extends out over State waters immediately adjacent to the parcel that was already deeded for the project. Once complete, the entire Museum campus is slated to become Federal property.
The best news of all, this is an exciting project of epic proportions for the local economy in New London, and it could prove to be a valuable cornerstone in the journey to revitalize our historic New England community.
Once the final permits are approved, construction can begin on the bulkhead and fill, which will be a critical part of the Coast Guard Museum’s foundation and allow for the striking architectural features that will suspend visitors our over the harbor.
Perfect Timing for Historic Announcement
August 4, 2020 marked the 230th Anniversary of the founding of a United States Coast Guard service branch, charged with protecting and defending American waters and U.S. mercantile interests along our national shores.
In 1790, Alexander Hamilton, serving as the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury, was instrumental in convincing Congress to establish the Revenue Marine, an active duty service that eventually became the modern-day Coast Guard.
Our geographic location is also fitting in a historical sense as the United States Coast Guard Academy has been operating in New London just up the river, since 1876 when it was first established as the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service School of Instruction.
Potential Boost for Local Business
The U.S. Coast Guard is the only branch of the United States Military that does not have a museum dedicated to its heritage. Such a significant project that would draw national interest can mean a lot to the local area – both in infrastructure improvement and tourism dollars.
As a long-standing member of New London’s local business community, Harris Place is thrilled to have this major Federal project on the horizon.
From our vantage point, there is plenty New London has to offer in regard to the arts, local dining and retail, as well as live music and theater. We also have the transportation and infrastructure to support an influx of visitors.
A new attraction of this magnitude will encourage tourism and could breath new commercial life into our quiet urban setting by the sea.
Historically speaking, as one of the cherished, deep freshwater ports in CT, our city has played a vital role in commerce and industry in the past. A project like this will put a national spotlight on New London and gives us a vision of a brighter tomorrow.