Lt. governor visits Battleship Cove with $7M for Fall River's State Pier makeover

FALL RIVER — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll visited Fall River on Thursday for a tour of Battleship Cove as the state appropriates millions for upgrades to the State Pier where the historic fleet is berthed.

“Thank you for this amazing site that not only tells Fall River’s history, but certainly tells American history,” said Driscoll inside the newly erected structure to house two of Battleship Cove’s military helicopters. “As a Navy brat, I am definitely feeling a lot of love and attention in this space, and I think there are a lot of veterans that can relate to that feeling, being able to see something that meant so much to so many lives.”

But it wasn’t the first time the lieutenant governor, the former mayor of Salem, visited Battleship Cove, having chaperoned a sleepover on the ship.

Governor's previous visit: Healey visits Fall River on a day-long listening tour with business community

“I had the pleasure of spending the night. I will not say 'sleeping,' because I don’t think anybody slept,” said Driscoll. “My son was part of a Boy Scout troop, one of many, it sounds like, that has had the great privilege of spending time here.”

Driscoll said she “remembered the thrill in all those kids' eyes and listening to a veteran” about what life was like living on a battleship.

“I think that’s what makes it so special. When you say Battleship Cove, you think of Fall River,” said Driscoll.

Southcoast Wonders: The Battleship joined the Navy 80 years ago. Why is it in Fall River?

Funding State Pier repair

The state appropriated $7 million to the Department of Conservation and Recreation for repairs to the approximately 10-acre State Pier along the Taunton River.

“The $7 million has been allotted to ensure reinvesting in the Pier to support the long-term growth and sustainability,“ said Driscoll. “This is where the state partnership is so strong. A state-owned pier and a private nonprofit working together to ensure historical assets remain in place.”

State Sen. Michael Rodrigues applauded the Gov. Maura Healey and Driscoll administration for including the $7 million pier improvement as part of its investment plan.

“This is an amazing investment that is really the symbol of Fall River, and we will continue to partner together to ensure improvements are made each and every year,” said Rodrigues.

Battleship Cove also getting a makeover

Rodrigues said the museum has gotten $1 million in funding thanks to state American Rescue Plan Act funding, and it shows.

Last summer, work started on the Battleship Massachusetts, a World War II vessel, that hadn’t seen that degree of renovations since the late 1990s.

Battleship Cove Executive Director Meghan Rathbun said since the museum opened its doors in 1965, Battleship Cove has had over 6.5 million visitors. More than 1 million children and their parents have slept aboard the battleship since the overnight program started in 1972.

“So this investment in our State Pier and our partnership with DCR will allow us to continue to be an economic driver and an anchor, pun 100% intended, in the Greater SouthCoast area and the state of Massachusetts,” said Rathbun.

Investments like the $7 million to improve the State Pier will allow Battleship Cove to bring the history and the experience to all of the children and their families who travel up and down the East Coast to visit the museum, said Rathbun.

“And it allows us to keep honoring all our veterans and honoring all of the sacrifices that they have made,” said Rathbun.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Lt. Gov. Driscoll visits Battleship Cove; pier gets $7M in state funds