The Navy has finally granted owernship of the USS Wisconsin to the city of Norfolk, according to the Virginian-Pilot.

The city will take over and begin working to make the entire ship open to the public for tours. But a lot needs to be done before it can open fully to the public, he said. It must be cleaned of any hazardous materials, including asbestos. Then the heating and cooling systems must be overhauled.

The city will begin to use funds set aside years ago to renovate the interior of the ship. Starting on Saturday, guests will also have to pay an admission fee.

Hopefully, the ship will help energize tourism in the city.

"Norfolk officials have eagerly waited for the day when tourists could peer through the battleship Wisconsin's berthing areas and traipse through the ship's combat center.

Now after years of negotiations and environmental reviews, the Navy has finally granted ownership of the Wisconsin to the city.

Vice Adm. David Architzel signed the contract Monday, more than three years after the city asked for permission to maintain and run the Wisconsin as a tourist attraction.

The move will allow the city to begin spending $6.2 million that it set aside years ago to renovate the interior of the ship, which is moored next to Nauticus. Currently, it is partially open to the public.

Visitors can tour limited portions of the Wisconsin's deck. But by next spring, Nauticus director Hank Lynch said he expects to begin offering tours of parts of the ship's interior. Within three years, he said, most of the ship's entire interior will be open, including the combat information center, berthing areas, and the barber and doughnut shops.

'We want to show people everything it took to take care of the 2,000 human beings on that ship,' he said.

But that will all come with a price. Beginning Saturday, anyone who wants to tour the ship's deck will have to buy a ticket to enter Nauticus.

Admission to the Wisconsin is now free. On Saturday, it will cost an adult $10.95 to enter both attractions."

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