A Management Review of Patriots Point Development Authority
December 2012
The former President Pro Tempore of the South Carolina Senate requested a management and performance review of Patriots Point Development Authority (PPDA). Based on this request, our audit objectives included:
• Adequacy of the agency business plan.
• Agency revenue projections.
• Repayment of the $9.2 million state loan.
• Plans for development of its land.
• Current and future costs to repair the vessels.
• Compliance with the Navy’s requirements for maintenance of the vessels.
• Fundraising efforts.
• Human resources issues.
• Compliance with FOIA.
• Use of consultants/ contractors.
• Operations of the gift shop, ticket sales, and parking.
Patriots Point Development Authority is located in the town of Mt. Pleasant on the Charleston Harbor. It functions as a naval museum for overseeing the U.S.S. Yorktown, an aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Laffey, a destroyer, and the U.S.S. Clamagore, a submarine. The agency was given approximately 450 acres to develop, lease, or sell to fulfill its mission. Currently, PPDA leases land for a hotel/resort/marina, a golf course, College of Charleston athletic facilities, and there is a Cold War Memorial and property under a conservation easement. The agency receives funding from admissions, lease revenue, parking, the gift shop, overnight camping, vending, and event rentals, but it does not receive state appropriations.