From here:
http://www.ussalabama.com/html/photos/index.php
FINALLY!! BATTLESHIP MEMORIAL PARK TO REOPEN JANUARY 9TH Wednesday, Dec 28, 2005
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(December 28, 2005) Mobile, AL — After being closed more than 4 months due to immense damage from Hurricane Katrina, USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park will hold a Grand Re-opening Ceremony and Press Conference at 9:00 am on Monday, January 9, 2006. Commission Chairman Robert Edington of Mobile made the announcement.
This is a special day, as it is also the 41st anniversary of Battleship Memorial Park opening to the public in 1965. Over 12 million visitors have visited USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park in the past forty one years.
It is also the 59th anniversary of the decommissioning of Battleship ALABAMA whic occurred in Bremerton, Washington on January 9, 1947.
Battleship USS ALABAMA and the Submarine USS DRUM will be open for touring and most of the aircraft, although still damaged and unrepaired, are also able to be viewed in the parking lot.
The public is encouraged to visit Battleship Memorial Park to see first hand, the effects of Hurricane Katrina, and also witness the rebuilding efforts that are ongoing bringing Battleship Memorial Park back to life. In the 41 years that the park has been open, never has Battleship Memorial Park experienced such devastation.
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park is an independent agency of the State of Alabama, and is totally self-supporting for daily operations. Being closed for the last four months, Battleship Memorial Park has had a loss of revenue close to $700,000. Reports show that repairs will cost in excess of $4 million. Coupled with an anticipated $500,000 short fall in insurance coverage, the Park will suffer a total loss of more than $1.2 million dollars.
Battleship Memorial Park serves as a memorial to all men and women who have or are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. Battleship Memorial Park is also one of the top tourist attractions in the State of Alabama and in the City of Mobile. “The reopening of USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park brings back one of Mobile Bay’s signature attractions to our visitors and shows that Mobile Bay is truly wide open for business” said Leon Maisel, President of the Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau.