Graphic by Daniel Dowdy
N. Charleston leads charge for Hunley
City favorite for museum, McConnell says
BY SCHUYLER KROPF
Copyright 12/13/03 The Charelston Post and Courier
North Charleston has emerged as the favorite to win the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley museum, and a decision could come within the next 60 days.
State Sen. Glenn McConnell said Friday that North Charleston's huge lead in its commitment of cash and expertise is a decided edge, adding he would be "hard-pressed" to tell the state Legislature in January the Hunley Commission was turning down a funding offer that may run as high as $12 million-$13 million.
"I don't see how we can go back to the General Assembly and justify anything but North Charleston," said McConnell, R-Charleston.
The comments are a switch from McConnell's earlier statements that Patriot's Point in Mount Pleasant may be the best site, given the fact it is already a state-run maritime museum and established tourist destination.
But changes in financial commitments and in site offerings from Mount Pleasant and Charleston have nearly taken them both out of contention, he said.
After Mount Pleasant pulled back on its earlier offer of accommodations-tax money, the Mount Pleasant/Patriot's Point bid consists of land at the museum site plus $1 million in Patriot's Point money, said Chris Sullivan of the Hunley Commission.
The city of Charleston's offer, meanwhile, moves the sub from the city's waterfront to a proposed Hunley wing at the current Charleston Museum.
McConnell said neither plan is acceptable.
"With no waterfront property downtown, (Charleston) is out," McConnell said. "I couldn't vote for that." In connection to North Charleston's package he said, "I couldn't see leaving $12 million on the table to go to Mount Pleasant."
"Based on what I know at this point, I'd have to say North Charleston is definitely in the lead," he added.
Ray Anderson, special assistant to North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey, said the Hunley would be better off going to North Charleston because the administration has shown a dedicated commitment to the displaying the sub, even a willingness to increase its bid by $2 million from the sale of land at the old Navy shipyard.
"We think it is the best," he said.
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said the city's offering was still the best for the Hunley both historically and in terms of attracting tourists and foot traffic. More people "by far" would see it downtown than they would in another site, Riley said Friday, adding he has pledged to accept the fund-raising role for the sub.
Mount Pleasant officials could not be reached late Friday.
According to the Hunley Commission's selection timetable, the subcommittee studying the three bid packages hopes to make its recommendation by the end of this month, Sullivan said, and the full Hunley Commission would then make a decision in January.
"All the commission members I've talked to are anxious to make a decision and get this thing moving," Sullivan said.
The search over which city will win the Hunley has gone on for several years but has faced numerous delays as commission members have altered deadlines and sought additional information and expertise from the cities and officials involved with the project. McConnell has said he envisions a museum costing about $40 million that would tell the Hunley story, plus other aspects of the Civil War at sea.
For now, the Hunley is undergoing restoration in its conservation lab in North Charleston.
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