Pete Davidson’s ambitious renovation plan for the Staten Island ferry, known as Boondoggle, has run into some problems.
The initiative to anchor a party boat from a retired ship at a Manhattan pier for the upcoming movie “US 250 Bash” has officially fallen through. This happened because Davidson didn’t manage to secure the required permits, according to reports.
The city’s Economic Development Corporation shared this news with the Community Board on Thursday. Members of the board had raised several concerns over the proposal to dock the John F. Kennedy Ferry at Pier 15, which is close to the South Street Seaport.
“We aim to clarify community benefits and ensure that quality of life protections are in place—we don’t want to privatize public spaces that have always been open to everyone,” board chair Tammy Meltzer shared.
The specific reasons for the plan’s failure aren’t entirely clear. While Davidson and fellow comedian Colin Jost talked about transforming the ship into a lively venue with restaurants and bars, it’s anyone’s guess which parts might be operational by the Fourth of July holiday.
Interestingly, a source hinted that even though the plan didn’t materialize in time for July 4, there might still be a chance for a permit to allow Davidson and Jost’s ship to dock at a Lower Manhattan pier later in the summer.
Attempts to get comments from the EDC and City Hall went unanswered.
Davidson and Jost’s partner, Stand Group, also hasn’t replied to numerous inquiries.
This quiet development adds another layer to an ongoing legal dispute between Watermark Bar and the city regarding its lease. The restaurant expressed that EDC was hastily attempting to dock the ferry at Pier 15, potentially disregarding the concerns of tenants and neighbors.
Meltzer emphasized the importance of understanding public safety, emergency responses, and the overall impact the boat’s presence might have. “It’s complicated because it’s not a boat that can just move anywhere; it has to be towed into position. We have a venue that can accommodate about 4,000 people, and it’s been located on a city-owned pier for some time now,” she explained.
An illustration in the proposal showed a sizable, 300-foot-long retired ship anchored nearby the historic vessels displayed at the South Street Seaport Museum on Pier 16.
Capt. Jonathan Boulware, president and CEO of the South Street Seaport Museum, raised concerns about the risks of placing such a large ship near fragile, irreplaceable historic ships. He also noted that the JFK Ferry could disturb the museum’s daily operations.
“We rely on our fleet to take guests out on the water. Normally, we host New Yorkers and visitors, and we take students out on our historic ships,” he added.
Even though the postcard future of the JFK Ferry at Pier 15 is uncertain, Boulware, Meltzer, and local residents found some comfort in knowing the ferry will not obstruct the view of the parade featuring 80 international ships in New York Harbor on July 4.
This setback is just one of many that Davidson and Jost have faced since acquiring the renamed Titanic II in 2021 for $280,100, with dreams of creating a vibrant floating venue complete with various entertainment options.
The duo, alongside their partner, has been shelling out substantial docking fees while their ambitions dwindle.
Recently, they struggled to get support from a Staten Island group for docking their ship at one of the island’s ports for half a year.
Jost has even humorously remarked that the ferry purchase was “the stupidest, most ill-conceived purchase I ever made in my life.”
