What sounds like material for a Saturday Night LiveNBC News confirmed that sketch, Pete Davidson, and Colin Jost purchased a Staten Island ferryboat for $280,000.
The SNLPaul Italia, New York’s comedy club founder and agent, joined the duo to purchase the boat at an auction Wednesday. Italia stated to the Associated Press that it was a plan to transform the John F. Kennedy NYC Staten Island Ferry in to a live entertainment venue.
The 277-foot vessel was built in 1965. It was decommissioned last August because of mechanical problems. The JFK was auctioned by New York City’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services.
“I love this idea,”Eric Adams, New York’s Mayor, tweeted about the purchase today. “What a great way to give an NYC icon a second life. Let us know how we can help and we’ll be there for the maiden voyage.”
Italia, co-owner, and co-founder, of Manhattan’s restaurant and comedy club The Stand, stated today to the Associated Press, that the conversion will cost around $400,000 “millions of dollars”It is still in its early stages. “You have a great idea and you’re working on executing it and the first step is the acquisition of the boat, and I think that that’s the story right now,”He told the AP. “We were successful in acquiring the boat and making sure it didn’t go into the scrapyard like the last two.”
Live, starting at St. George Terminal
Pete, @ColinJost: This is a great idea. This is a wonderful way to give a NYC icon a second chance. Let us know how we can help and we’ll be there for the maiden voyage. https://t.co/tT4wm3upVb
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 21, 2022