Patriot's Point commits $1 million for Hunley

BY DAVID QUICK
Of The Post and Courier staff
JUNE 15, 2001

     MOUNT PLEASANT - Patriot's Point sweetened the deal to house the Confederate submarine Hunley by offering a $1 million incentive package Thursday, just as a heritage group said the sub should not be displayed in Charleston because of Mayor Joseph P. Riley's political views.
     The Patriot's Point Development Authority's offer is contingent on state officials choosing Patriot's Point for the sub's permanent display and comes in addition to its earlier promise to provide land for the future museum.
     Combined with Mount Pleasant Mayor Harry Hallman's comments about offering up to $4 million in hospitality tax money to bring the Hunley across the Cooper River, the Patriot's Point sweetener brings the town's incentive package to $5 million, plus land.
     "Because the H.L. Hunley is a natural fit to the existing history and heritage theme and mission of Patriot's Point, the board feels it is in the best interest of the authority to commit the money to this project," board member Ellie Thomas said.
     The money will come from Patriot's Point cash reserves and could be used for site surveys, engineering and preparation, as well as landscaping and actual construction.
     Also on Thursday, Town Council gave initial approval to a hospitality tax of 2 percent on all prepared food. The tax is worth an estimated $1.2 million annually, but none of that has been committed to specific projects. Hallman expects to begin talks with the Hunley Commission this summer.
     Meanwhile, an official of the state chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans said Riley's stand against the Confederate battle flag last year disqualifies the city from hosting the sub.
     "The Hunley represents the things we've always talked about - the regular citizen soldier willing to die for the defense of their homeland," said Gene Hogan, chairman of the Heritage Committee of the South Carolina SCV division.
     "It's a fascinating artifact, and it's something important to the history of South Carolina. And it's going to be a moneymaker. We're simply stating that because of some of the things the mayor has said in the past about the flag. It shows inconsistencies."
     Hogan's press release said it would be hypocritical for Riley to profit off the sub after criticizing the flag.
     Riley responded that his stand against the battle flag last year was the right course to follow and that the Statehouse and public opinion agreed with him.
     He also said he is not opposed to displays of all Confederate flags but was against the battle flag on the Statehouse because it had been adopted by some groups as a symbol of hate.
     Riley said he advocates the First National Flag of the Confederacy going on display in front of the Daughters of the Confederacy Museum at Market Hall once the restoration is done and the building is reopened.
     The flag - also known as the Stars and Bars - features two red stripes and one white with a field of blue containing a circle of stars. It was widely dispersed early in the secession.
     As for a flag display for a Hunley museum in downtown Charleston, Riley said that decision ultimately will be up to the state Hunley Commission.
     "It should be appropriate for the Hunley museum," he said, "and respectful for the Hunley, its crew and all South Carolinians."
     Riley has suggested the sub be moved to the Charleston Museum or to a new site near the aquarium.
     Hunley Commission Chairman Glen McConnell said he didn't think Riley's views of the flag would affect the goal of a historically accurate presentation of the Hunley, no matter which site is chosen. North Charleston also is expected to make a bid for the sub.
     "We have to do what's best for the Hunley, and that's what we're going to do," McConnell said. "We have not voted yet, and we will not make a decision based on a current office-holder."