Pete Davidson’s comedy venue on his $280K Staten Island ferry ‘won’t be open to fans for FIVE YEARS’
PETE Davidson’s comedy venue on his $280,000 Staten Island ferry, likely won’t be open to fans for years, according to an organization that aims to support New York’s waterfront development.
All good things come to those who wait and wait ye shall- for about five years- for the opening of Pete and fellow Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost’s floating comedy venue, aboard the old John F. Kennedy Staten Island Ferry.
The comics who made the investment with Stand comedy-club co-owner Paul Italia, face serious logistical hurdles as well as bureaucratic red tape before their dream boat can be realized, as Cortney Worrell, president and CEO of the Waterfront Alliance explained.
“There is the issue of finding the space, which is number one and then the other part is getting the permits.”
Cortney elaborated: “The major challenge with finding a place for a very large boat is that the New York Harbor and the waterfront is extremely congested with not only boats that go in and out all the time, but the limited space that makes up what New York City in terms of its dense and compact urban life is exactly what’s on the waterfront too.
“Finding a large home for a very large ship is literally like building a skyscraper,” Cortney added while explaining the infrastructure of mooring such a massive vessel will almost certainly necessitate building a slip to accommodate it.
“How much construction is needed and how much of a change to the land where this is attached to has to be taken into account in order to accommodate ADA accessibility.”
Then there is also the matter of ecological issues and passing standards for development if the ship is moored exclusively in one location.
“Anything that casts a permanent shadow over the water really affects the bottom aquatic life. And so there’s an environmental hurdle that really has to be overcome that could be quite large, in addition to everything else,” the team is facing the head of the Waterfront Alliance explained.
“None of this is impossible, but it’s needed.”
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While it’s unclear exactly where the trio is eyeing to dock the ferry, Cortney hopes they consider areas of the city that are in need of revitalization.
It’s been reported that the plans for the ferry have been buoyed by Mayor Eric Adams, and the Waterfront Alliance hopes that the city continues to whole-heartedly back the project.
“If the city is looking at it holistically, at all of the opportunities that there are, there’s a big need for the New York City economy to pick up.
“Maybe this could use two homes with a second home somewhere in the city that could use a revitalization of economic activity,” Cortney suggested.
The undertaking will be a costly one, as she noted, but Cortney added everyone that who stands to benefit is lucky that this team seems to be able to afford it.
When asked for an estimated timeline for the project, the head of the Waterfront Alliance said: “Five years would be an optimistic goal,” adding “It’s really cool stuff. I don’t want to be negative. It’s striking this balance between being encouraging and realistic, and we will be thrilled when it opens.”
The Waterfront Alliance is described as a nonprofit organization that works to influence the development and use of the waterfront, shoreline, and connected upland areas of the Port of New York and New Jersey in northern New Jersey and New York City as well as other areas of the New York–New Jersey Harbor Estuary.
A BID ON A BROKEN BOAT
Back in January, the NY Post reported that an anonymous bidder spent $280,100 on a broken Staten Island ferry.
According to NYC records, the item was bid on 36 times before Pete won the auction.
The boat- famously known as the John F. Kennedy double-ended NYC Staten Island Ferry- was built in Texas in 1965.
Vulture later confirmed that Pete and Colin, 39, purchased the ferry together, along with club owner Paul.
A rep for the trio confirmed to the outlet that they plan to rehab the ferry, which used to hold 5,200 people.
The men want to convert the ferry into a live entertainment space and event venue that will host comedy, art and food events.
Their first task as the boat’s new owners is to find a waterfront home where it will be docked permanently.
The auction listing stated that the boat is in “poor” condition due to “mechanical issues” in its engine, though the new owners won’t have much to worry about as it will remain docked as a comedy club.
SENTIMENTAL PURCHASE
Both Pete, whose current paramour is reality star Kim Kardashian and Colin, whose married to actress Scarlett Johansson, have history with the particular ferry.
While Colin rode the ferry during his daily commute to high school, the King of Staten Island star rode the boat to attend gigs in Manhattan.
There is said to be is no timeline of when the renovations will be complete and the venue will open.
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It’s not clear how much Pete, Colin, and Paul will change about the ferry, though its current design includes numerous rows of wooden benches with blue details, a large deck area and spacious restrooms.
The purchase may not surprise some SNL fans, as both Pete and Colin have been outspoken about their love for their hometown of Staten Island.
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