[July 26, 2007, Brooklyn, NY] Intrepid Museum officials today revealed, to more than 100 government and corporate leaders, the plan for Intrepid’s return to Pier 86 and the Museum’s grand re-opening celebration.

The aircraft carrier Intrepid will return home to Pier 86 on Manhattan’s west side on Friday, September 26, 2008 – the birthday of the Museum’s late founder, Zachary Fisher. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum’s grand re-opening celebration will be held on Veterans Day, 2008.

“That all of these distinguished individuals are gathered in this room today is a true testament to the magnitude of Intrepid's return. Each person present and each agency represented brings something invaluable to the table that will afford us the opportunity to give Intrepid the glorious return she so deserves,” said Bill White, President of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

Intrepid is currently scheduled to leave her berth at Staten Island’s Homeport Pier shortly after 8:00 AM on September 26, 2008. She is expected to be moving north by 9:30 AM, and be alongside a brand new Pier 86 by 1:30 PM. As this is a construction project, the time, date and logistics of the move are tentative and subject to change.

“We are thrilled that we are nearing the return of the Intrepid to its New York City home. The Intrepid is a living monument to our Nation's courage and our resolve to stand for freedom, whatever the cost. Agencies at every level of government are working with communities across New York to ensure the prompt and safe return of one of America's greatest treasures,” said New York City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn.
In a display of city-wide patriotism, the 2008 Veterans Day Parade will be rerouted west across 42nd Street, and north up12th Avenue, with the parade passing the Intrepid Museum. 5,000 of the parade’s veterans will take part in the Museum’s grand re-opening celebration that morning.

Now in Staten Island, Intrepid will undergo the next phase of her refurbishment, and receive an $8 million interior renovation. Of that, $4.5 million has been privately raised – $3.5 million is yet to be procured. Never-before-seen areas of the ship including to fo’c’sle (commonly known as the anchor chain room), general berthing quarters and the ship’s machine shop will be opened to the public for the first time. The hangar deck will feature a new layout and design including new interactive exhibits.