Park officials ask TVA for guidance

The Public Park Authority of the Shoals is seeking guidance from the Tennessee Valley Authority on what type of attraction would be allowed in Veterans Park now that the agency has changed its shoreline development policy.

Rex Burleson, chairman of the local park authority, made the request last week in a letter to TVA officials.

Local governments and the Retirement Systems of Alabama have been searching for an attraction at the park in Florence that would coax visitors to the area. An attraction at Veterans Park is part of the overall economic development project that includes a Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail complex, a luxury hotel and other amenities.

Other aspects of the project have been up and running for more than two years in some cases, but there remains no firm plans for Veterans Park.

The issue became more complex with TVA's recent approval of a new shoreline development policy that restricts retail and commercial development on property owned by the federal agency.

Burleson said sending a letter asking for guidance makes more sense than having local officials and RSA Executive Director David Bronner come up with ideas and then ask TVA for permission to pursue them.

"I asked them to tell us what their policy is, and examples of what could go along with the policy," Burleson said. "There's no

sense in trying to find something to put in there, and then it not fit into their guidelines.

"I'd like to have a defined example and defined description of what they consider recreation."

TVA's ruling that the park is off limits to retail developments effectively killed one idea, which involved development of a Bass Pro Shops operation.

TVA spokesman Gil Francis said the agency has received-the park authority's letter, and-it could take a couple of weeks-to gather the information and respond.

Meanwhile, a local principal and U.S. Navy veteran has come forward with a suggestion for a possible attraction at the park -- the USS Charles F. Adams guided-missile destroyer.

Deshler Junior High School Principal Robert Mullen, a Navy veteran who served aboard the Adams, said the destroyer was decommissioned in 1990, after some 30 years of service.

The 447-foot-long ship is at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, in Philadelphia.

The Navy would be willing to give it to a city at no cost for use as a museum, Mullen said.

He said the ship could become an attraction similar to the USS Alabama, which is in Mobile.

It might not be there for long. Mullen has been corresponding with members of the Adams Class Veterans Association, who informed him the Navy will hold a ship disposition meeting on-Feb. 7.

During that meeting, the Adams and other inactive ships will be considered for scrapping, according to a letter sent to Mullen from Jim Aldrich, who leads the association's city search effort.

In it, Aldrich explains if no city shows serious interest in using the ship for a museum, it could be taken off "donation hold" and put on the scrap list. A city would have to submit a letter to the Naval Sea Systems Command no later than Feb. 1 indicating interest. Such a letter would not be a commitment.

According to a letter from the association's executive secretary, Dave Myerly, floats could be added to the ship to minimize its draft so that it could be towed through the river systems. He also said it needs 51-foot height clearance from the water line, so they'd have to look at the height of bridges, and consider whether tall portions of the ship would have to be dismantled during towing and reassembled once it reaches its destination.

Francis said TVA officials would look at a variety of impacts of any project. He said flood control and navigation are among them.

"Whatever the proposal is, we'd have to look at it and say, 'What would the proposal try to do?' and 'What would the impact to the river be on it?' " Francis said.

Mullen hopes officials take a serious look into the possibility of bringing in the Adams, which was the first of its class. He stresses, however, the first thing that needs to be determined is if it can even be done.

"Nobody has considered a huge attraction like this at Veterans Park," he said. "We could permanently moor it on the water at Veterans Park.

"I can foresee people coming from all over to see it."

Mullen, who served aboard the Adams from March 1978 to September 1980, said it would be fitting to have such a structure at a park named in honor of veterans.

"It would complement the park, and would complement this area," he said.

Burleson said he has heard numerous suggestions. "I've heard anything from a water park to theme parks, botanical gardens, ideas like that," he said.

He had not heard about the destroyer, but, when told about it, seemed interested.

"It's not far fetched," he said, adding it could be docked at a small harbor east of the park.

Burleson said logistics such as who would handle upkeep would have to be considered.

Either way, he said the park authority will wait for TVA's suggestions before making any move.

"Maybe they'll find something we can work with, will be good for the area and all the people could really get behind and support," Burleson said. "There's our hope."

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@timesdaily.com.