Figure 1 – The SS Red Oak Victory is the 5th most popular attraction in Richmond and is part of Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, the city’s top attraction, according to Tripadvisor
In a rare moment of wisdom, the City Council voted last night (February 3, 2026) to postpone any decision on the SS Red Oak Victory relocation study for four to six weeks. The vote was 5-1-1,
with Jimemez voting no and Brown abstaining.
The Port (a department of the City of Richmond) leases the current berth at Basin 5 in historic Shipyard 3 (Port Potrero marine Terminal) to the Richmond Museum Association for $1 per year. The
Port presentation noted that any funding sources for the move are “to be determined.” Neither the Port nor the City are offering to fund the proposed new site, which is estimated to costs $15 to $20 million.
Mayor Martinez recounted his previous pitch that the SS Red Oak Victory was in the way of future Port profitability.
Karen Buchanon, president of the Richmond Museum Association (RMA), which owns the ship, spoke in favor of the study but said the RMA has not taken a position on the actual relocation.
Fred Klink, director of marketing for the SS Red Oak Victory repeated his theory that moving the ship is vital for increasing visibility and attracting more visitors.
There was a discussion of the contorted way the City accounts for the cost of berthing by deducting $143,000 each year from the debt owed by the Port to the City. This has always been a phony
construct because the Port and the City are the same organization, but it was an arrangement dreamed up several years ago to placate the port director at the time.
There were a number of questions that remained unanswered:
- How could the City move the ship without consent of the RMA?
- Why is a study costing $300 being considered before a preference for the future of the SS Red Oak has been agreed to?
- Does the Port have other more pressing needs that $300 could address?
- Would there be any contaminated released by the move?
- How does this relate to the Port Strategic Plan?
- Who would own the new pier?
No one brought up the fact that the City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25-09 that approved Alternative B of the Rosie the Riveter Worl War II Home Front General Management Plan Alternative
B, which placed the SS Red Oak Victory in historic Shipyard 3.
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