Thursday, December 20, 2001
MOUNT PLEASANT - Further demonstrating Mount Pleasant's desire to acquire
the restored Confederate submarine Hunley for Patriot's Point, Mayor Harry
Hallman appointed a special council committee Wednesday to help formulate a
proposal for housing the vessel.
"There's no other place for the Hunley than Mount Pleasant and
Patriot's Point," said Hallman, minutes before a special Town Council
meeting on Wednesday.
Hallman said the economic impact on Mount Pleasant will be "bigger
than two or three Blackbauds," a reference to the computer software company
that relocated to Daniel Island a few years ago.
"This (the Hunley) is the most significant economic development
project that will come along this century and we simply cannot fail in our
efforts. Any investment made by our town will come back ten-fold and will put
the town ... on national and international maps."
The committee, to be led by Councilman Bobby Utsey, also includes
councilmen Joe Bustos, Kruger Smith and Bill Van Nort. They are charged with
working with Town Administrator Mac Burdette and Patriot's Point Director Dave
Burnette in coming up with a proposal.
The timing of the appointment comes as Hallman said he learned of the
Hunley Commission sending out requests for proposals.
Earlier this year, Mount Pleasant passed a hospitality tax - a 2 percent
sales tax on all prepared food - that will take effect in January.
Up to $4 million of the tax revenue could go to a Hunley museum. Patriot's
Point Development Authority also has pledged up to $1 million and land for the
endeavor.Contact David Quick at dquick@postandcourier.com
or 937-5516
BY DAVID QUICK
Of The Post and Courier Staff