The Battleship New Jersey on Camden’s waterfront will receive a $24.5 million infusion for renovations and expanded visitor facilities, officials announced Wednesday, in the largest single investment the state has made for the ship since assuming responsibility for the site.
Funding breakdown and project goals
State and museum leaders said the award will be split to address improvements both on board the vessel and on the surrounding site. The announced allocations include:
- $6 million for upgrades aboard the ship;
- $5.5 million for construction of a parking structure;
- $9.5 million to build a visitor center on the land side of the property.
Leaders emphasized that the investment is intended to expand public access to the battleship, enhance the visitor experience and protect the vessel as a museum and memorial to U.S. naval history.
Officials and museum leaders weigh in
Tom Riley, chair of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial, described the announcement as a major moment for the site. Assemblyman Louis Greenwald said the funding marks a milestone and highlighted the region’s ties to the ship’s history, noting workers who helped build the vessel came from Camden and South Jersey.
"What a great day this is for the USS New Jersey!"
Marshall Spevak, CEO of the Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial, called the award transformational. Museum officials said about $19.8 million of the total award comes from tax credits issued through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion program.
Historical and visitor context
Launched in 1942, the battleship is the most-decorated in U.S. history and operates as a museum and memorial. Since opening to the public in 2001, the site has drawn more than 2 million visitors, according to museum figures cited by officials. Curator Ryan Szimanski pointed to the ship’s interior as a draw for audiences interested in military and presidential history.
The planned visitor center aims to improve the land-side experience with space for exhibits, orientation and visitor services, while the parking structure is intended to solve access constraints that have limited attendance and complicated large-event logistics.
Economic and regional implications
Officials framed the investment as both a cultural preservation effort and an economic development move that could boost tourism along Camden’s waterfront. Greenwald recalled past efforts to relocate the ship and said securing its permanent location in Camden was important to honor the regional workforce that helped build the vessel.
| Use | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ship improvements | $6,000,000 |
| Parking structure | $5,500,000 |
| Visitor center | $9,500,000 |
| Total announced | $24,500,000 |
Museum leadership said the funding will be deployed in phases while designers and preservation specialists coordinate work so that public access can continue where feasible. The museum has hosted events, tours and educational programs that draw school groups, veterans and national visitors, and officials said maintaining those offerings was a priority during renovation planning.
Next steps and timeline
Officials did not provide a detailed construction timeline at the announcement. Leaders said further plans, including procurement and phasing of work, will be released as the project moves into design and permitting stages. The allocation of tax-credit funding represents a significant portion of the financing, and museum officials said they will continue to pursue additional grants and partnerships to support the project.
The funding announcement comes as Camden continues efforts to redevelop its waterfront and expand cultural destinations. For the Battleship New Jersey, the investment seeks to preserve a historic vessel while improving visitor access and creating a stronger year-round attraction on the Delaware River shore.
Reporting for this story included statements from museum and state officials released at the funding announcement.
