By John Hagerty
Published May 11, 2009

Alan Lakein, well-known author on personal time management, is credited with the quote, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” At its April 2009 meeting, the Patriots Point Development Authority board decided to invite qualified firms to assist the authority in developing a master plan for the agency’s 455-acre tract located on Charleston Harbor in Mount Pleasant. The board is committed to the success of Patriots Point, home of the USS Yorktown.

When the authority acquired the USS Yorktown, revenues from development of the authority’s real estate and from admissions were supposed to fund the authority’s operations and maintenance of the ship. The authority developed the Patriots Point Links and leased it to a private company to manage and pay the authority rent.

John Hagerty, chairman Patriots Point Development Authority

A failed initial attempt at developing another portion of the authority’s property in the mid-1980s was followed in 1995 by the successful beginning of the development of a portion of the authority’s property into what are now the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina and the Belvidere cottages.

The authority has an additional 56 acres remaining to be developed. The authority is confident that revenues from the leased parcels, admissions and other sales ultimately will generate a substantial amount of money to fund operations and assist in ship maintenance. These revenue streams might not be adequate to fund this maintenance requirement, but they might be able to support the authority’s first and most visited ship, the USS Yorktown.

The authority’s ships have continued to have normal, routine and very expensive maintenance requirements, including being dry-docked every 15 years. The authority’s small reserve is not enough to fund the maintenance requirement. December’s near sinking of the destroyer Laffey, known to World War II sailors as “The Ship that Would Not Die,” raised awareness of Patriots Point’s funding issues, which were communicated to elected officials in Columbia and Washington.

Patriots Point does not receive annual appropriations from the state or federal governments. In hindsight, an annual appropriation to fund a maintenance reserve would have been helpful, but, today, $60 to $70 million is needed to do the work currently needed.

Patriots Point’s mission is:
1. To establish, develop and operate a national museum of ships, naval and maritime equipment, artifacts, manuscripts, art and other historic military displays for the purpose of fostering patriotism, generating pride and respect for the United States of America and memorializing all soldiers, sailors and airmen who have given their lives in service of their country.

2. To develop and enhance Patriots Point and its contiguous water areas to support the operation of its historic ships and aircraft, to provide a place of education and recreation and to stimulate national and international travel by providing museums, attractions, lodging and accommodations.

In 2008, with financial assistance from the Charleston Harbor Hotel & Marina and the Ginn Belvidere Resort to the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum Foundation, the foundation commissioned two companies to develop competing conceptual plans that could provide the groundwork for a comprehensive master plan.

The conceptual plans enabled the board to visualize the future physical appearance of Patriots Point’s entire complex before investing in a comprehensive master plan. Each of the conceptual plans included a new museum entrance from Patriots Point Boulevard, a new parking complex, another major hotel and conference center, green spaces, and a new multipurpose building for the museum’s gift ship, ticketing facilities, a full-service snack bar, dedicated space for traveling exhibits, offices and multifunction space for conferences, exhibitions, receptions, meals and parties. The plans also included other development under consideration by Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina and the Ginn Co.

Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Ginn Belvidere Resort and Fort Sumter Tours/SpiritLine Cruises combine with the authority to make Patriots Point the “harborside resort” of Mount Pleasant.

A 2008 economic impact study by College of Charleston tourism marketing professor John Crotts estimates that the Naval and Maritime Museum adds $26.9 million and the complete Patriots Point complex adds $76 million annually to the local economy. It’s estimated that the economic impact of a fully developed Patriots Point would exceed $400 million annually for the town of Mount Pleasant, Charleston County and the state of South Carolina.

The board is committed to developing its property properly through every step of the process.

Patriots Point is Mount Pleasant’s premier visitor attraction and waterfront destination. The authority has partnered with the town to promote tourism and will work closely with town leaders and neighbors to develop its master plan. A well-developed Patriots Point is an investment paying dividends for Mount Pleasant and the state of South Carolina for generations to come.

John Hagerty is the chairman of the Patriots Point Development Authority.