Consider PRC plan for McLeod

It is necessary to remind the public that the current plan of the Historic Charleston Foundation to sell McLeod Plantation to the College of Charleston would do no more to preserve this historic site than having it occupied by the American College of the Building Arts.

After meeting with officials of the College of Charleston, we are somewhat uncertain that preservation is the goal. In a follow-up to the comment made by Tom O'Rourke of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission to Robert Behre in The Post and Courier, Mr. O'Rourke expressed his disappointment that the PRC did not get an opportunity to explain its plan for the property.

Mr. O'Rourke indicates that the PRC regards historic preservation as one of the important directives of state legislation which created the PRC. It would be wise to consider Mr. O'Rourke's vision for McLeod and to compare it to that of the College. Friends of McLeod share Mr. O'Rourke's view.

It appears that the College of Charleston will "use" the property rather than preserve it, which will result in a missed opportunity to save a historic treasure.

Additionally, it is related to other historic sites from the same period such as Morris Island which the PRC has helped keep in the public domain.

There are many supporters in this effort, including Charleston County Councilman Paul Thurmond, who worked closely with Mr. O'Rourke in the coalition to preserve Morris Island. Both feel that McLeod would contribute to a joint historical interpretation of the sites.

The only right way to handle McLeod Plantation is to preserve it, as it is now, not to build on it, subdivide it, sell part of it or in any other way desecrate it.

C.J. OWENS

Wappoo Hall Road

Charleston