Sailing Hall Of Fame Relocating To Newport

NEWPORT, RI — In a 17-9 vote, the board of directors of the National Sailing Hall of Fame in Annapolis, Maryland voted Tuesday afternoon to relocate the hall of fame to Newport.

The hall of fame will relocate to the armory building at Thames Street, which was sold to the National Sailing Hall of Fame for a little under $1.7 million on July 25.

Under the agreement, the hall of fame's board of directors have until Nov. 8 to make "due diligence" restoring the building, hall of fame executive director Gary Jobson told the Newport Daily News. Possible liabilities include asbestos and mold. He added that the board needs to raise about $1.7 million, but said he is confident that could be done easily.

The agreement between the hall of fame and the city of Newport transfers ownership of the main floor and second floor of the armory to the Sailing Hall of Fame. The agreement said the city will collect property taxes from the hall of fame.

The new ownership of the building means the Armory Antique Marketplace will be moved out. Newport will retain ownership of the Newport Maritime Center in the basement.

Photo credit: Amory Ross/Team Alvimedica / Handout