http://www.postandcourier.com/artic...4/north-charleston-buys-former-naval-hospital The federal government has accepted North Charlestonâs $2 million offer to buy the former Charleston Naval Hospital. 10-story hospital building and 24 acres of land. Why was this not offered at public auction. Essentially self dealing theft of probably over $50M just in land and capital equipment.
"The U.S. General Services Administration had earlier rejected the cityâs high bid for the 10-story hospital building and 24 acres of land, saying the cityâs nearly $1.95 million bid in an online auction did not meet the minimum price sought by the government."
The story says there was an on-line auction. It sounds like the city was the high bidder but the government didn't accept the high bid because even it was too low. Eventually they accepted a slightly higher offer from the city.