Archive for the ‘ Just the Facts ’ Category
Welcome to Just the Facts about Jekyll Island
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008In this section, we will be posting information about Jekyll Island, its future, the news that gets covered about it and posted about it. This is a moderated blog, meaning that your comments may not get posted here. We will post comments here after we have written replies which may take time, depending on the amount of comments received. Also, if we feel your comment inappropriate, or does contribute to the discussion, it may not be accepted. Below you will see some important links about this discussion.
Links
Jekyll Island’s Founding Legislation 
JekyllIslandAuthority.com
Jekyll Island’s Master Plan The Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors
Redisoverjekyll.com 
Jekyll Island Authority Board Meeting Info
Jekyll Island Visitation Research
Monday, April 21st, 2008As is true with all good research, it is never ending. This is the most recent incarnation of my research on the visitation data on Jekyll Island. (Jekyll Counts v.5).
There is some greatly expanded information - some as early as 1969. While it is by no means definitive, there are some marked changes in what was initially compiled. Some new info is added - DOT Causeway counts from the 1970s, census data from 1980 (amazing the Census shows a 48% in permanent residents between 1980 and 2000, which could have had impacts on many things). There were some data entry errors resulting in the Hotel Occupancy figures being overstated in FY 2000 & 2001. This has been corrected. You will also notice that the “Visitation” column is left fairly blank. The initial report referenced a car count multiplier of 3.46 as an accurate representation of island visitation. This idea dates back to data from the late 1960s, but has been called into question in other reports throughout the years - most notably, the 1981 Hammer, Siler & George Master Plan. In this version, the projection is removed and the multiplier is stated as noted from a source report. A number of reports note that truly accurately projecting island visitation is incredibly difficult. The biggest data change was the increasing of traffic counts from 1997 through 2007. As we checked data, we determined that beginning in 1998, island traffic at the greeting station was definitely broken into two groups - paid cars and decals scanned. The data from 2004-2007 was available and was added to the paid cars total. The 4 year data was also used to create an average that was added to paid cars from 1998 - 2003 - again not definitive but a solid estimate. Finally, a great deal of data had to be reconstructed for FY 1995, 1996, & 1997 - as it appears to in the transition period of 3 directors in 36 months, it seems to have sucked a number of records into a black hole. Finally, the most prominent addition are the source notations, which I think places the items in a greater context.
John Hunter, Director of the Jekyll Island Museum
Senate Bill 367 Amendment
Friday, March 28th, 2008Below is the language of Rep. Buckner’s amendment to SB 367. The bill is needed to keep the Georgia Coastal Management Act from expiring which would jeopardize millions of dollars in federal grants for environmental programs on the Coast. It is important to read the language and see the specific restrictions in the amendment. If this passes, only “public picnic tables, bathhouses, and restrooms” could be built in this area (see picture). It appears that improvements to bike paths, addition of boardwalks, playground or any beach concession areas would be prohibited. This area is already protected by the Shore Protection Act, authorized for improvement under the 65%/35% law, identified as a priority for redevelopment in the JIA Master Plan and as the picture shows contains a distressed parking area that is intended to primarily serve the Jekyll Island Convention Center. It is disappointing that this important bill was jeopardized with this amendment.
http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb367.htm
Opponents of Jekyll Revitalization Misguided
Friday, March 28th, 2008For reference: David Egan wrote:
http://savannahnow.com/node/468722 - and includes a picture of the parking lot. And the legislation can be found here: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/sum/sb367.htm
Jekyll resident David Egan is right about one thing in his March 26 letter to the editor entitled “House Should OK bill preserving Jekyll,” the Georgia General Assembly holds the key to the future of
Decades ago state leaders had the foresight to pass a law mandating that 65% of this barrier island remain in its natural state and never be developed. Just last year, more restrictions were put in place to limit any redevelopment on the south end of the
To the dismay of the Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the environmental lobby hijacked a bill last week that reauthorizes the Georgia Coastal Management Act, which brings in millions of dollars in federal grants that are critical to protecting vital areas of the coast. An amendment was tacked on that would limit development in the area of this parking lot to nothing but picnic tables and bathrooms. If this misguided amendment were to become law, the Jekyll Island Authority could not even construct the proposed
Enough is enough. The vast majority of Georgians wants to see responsible redevelopment of
Ben Porter
Chairman,
Topic of the Week from the Brunswick News
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008Click here to link to the Brunswick News Article
Jekyll Island State Park Authority Announces DNR Shore Jurisdiction Line Verification
Tuesday, March 18th, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Click on the images to see
them larger)
“We take our charge to protect the unique and unspoiled beaches of
The Georgia Shore Protection Act gives the Department of Natural Resources jurisdictional oversight of the state’s shorelines, sand dunes and adjacent lands. Part of that responsibility may include setting restrictions to development along
The DNR’s action for the Jekyll Island Authority, formally approved March 13, creates such restrictions on
“DNR has verified the delineation in the area that contains our current Convention Center and shopping center, and is designated for redevelopment as a new beach village,” said
Garvey added, “While improvements are often permitted within the jurisdictional area, we won’t know exactly what DNR permits will be needed until changes to the beach village plan are presented.”
Revitalization on
Jekyll Island Authority, along with its revitalization partner Linger Longer Communities, is working on plans for a new beach village that will bring together a variety lodging together with restaurants, shops, parks and improved beach access, as well as a new Convention Center and Convention Center Hotel.
The General Assembly created the Jekyll Island State Park Authority in 1950 to manage
But to accomplish its mission, the Authority must attract visitors to
Faced in recent years with lagging attendance and declining revenue, the Authority recently launched an effort to revitalize its aging hotels, shops and Convention Center. Because the majority of these structures were built in the 1960s, it was clear that the change was going to involve redevelopment.
In September, the Jekyll Island Authority selected a high-quality private developer, Linger Longer Communities, as its revitalization partner.
Gov. Sonny Perdue, members of the General Assembly’s Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee, the Glynn County Commission, Brunswick City Council, Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia are supporting the Authority’s efforts at revitalization.
In its proposal last year, Linger Longer presented a
The Jekyll Island State Park Authority prides itself on its service to the public and will post supporting material to its web site www.jekyllislandfacts.com.
About
CONTACT:
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Linger Longer’s Statement On the Jurisdictional Line
Just the Facts Part 2
Friday, March 14th, 2008- How much of the Island can be developed and how much already is?
By Georgia Law, only 35% of the land mass of Jekyll Island above mean high tide may be developed. As delineated in the 1996 Island Master Plan, officially the JIA has the ability to develop an additional 104 acres before this threshold is met. - Is Jekyll Island a State Park, a resort, or a community?
The best answer is probably “All 3”. Jekyll Island was purchased by the State in 1947 to establish a State Park with beach access to insure that there would always be publicly accessible beach in Georgia. The State purchased Jekyll Island from the Jekyll Island Club for $675,000 after exercising its right of eminent domain to force the sale. At the time, the decision was politically controversial. After 2 years of operating within the State Parks system, The Jekyll Island State Park Authority was created to manage the island and guide its development as a resort destination. It does not operate as a part of the State Parks system, nor is any of its operational funding provided by the State Parks System or the Georgia General Assembly, as the Jekyll Island Authority is mandated to be a self sufficient agency. - Why did the State of Georgia purchase Jekyll Island?
In 1946, the State formed a Beach Park Commission to study the feasibility of acquiring one of Georgia’s barrier islands to serve as beach oriented state park. Headed by Revenue Commissioner M.E. Thompson, the study recommended the purchase of Jekyll Island as the only viable opportunity due the fact that the Jekyll Island Club had failed to re-open after WWII and that the island might be available. Upon his election as Governor in 1947, Thompson initiated the purchase of Jekyll. - How are tax dollars from the State of Georgia Spent on Jekyll?
The Jekyll Island Authority receives no tax dollars from the State of Georgia in support of its operations, and is by state statute required to be self-sufficient. Occasionally, the JIA does receive project specific funds from the State in the form of General Obligation Bonds or Revenue Bonds. - Why was the Jekyll Island Authority created?
After purchase by the State of Georgia in 1947, Jekyll operated for 3 years as a part of the State Parks Department. After the initiation of the construction of a causeway to the island, it was quickly realized that Jekyll could become a defining destination for tourism in the state. In order to be prepared for modern amenities, and speed the process of truly making the island available for all, the State moved to create the Jekyll Island State Park Authority. The purpose of the JIA was to be a bridge between State Government and the Private Sector, and create partnerships to establish a self-sufficient resort community within a natural or “state park” setting. The State and the JIA recognized early on that the management of Jekyll Island was a unique partnership between State Government and the Private Sector. In order for this to succeed, the JIA would take on the roll typically played by local governments and provide the municipal infrastructure required in the resort community, and that regular state funding support would be needed for a number of years until initial “build out” was completed. After that point, it was believed that the island would be self-sufficient and could begin paying the state back for its investment. - Is Jekyll Island Self Sufficient?
Operationally, the Jekyll Island Authority is self sufficient. Net profit from operations ranges annually from $500K to $1.5m. The JIA does struggle with the large capital investments needed to maintain the infrastructure, amenities, and historic resources under its care. Over the past ten years major improvements in these areas have only become possible due to partnerships with the private sector, support of non-profits and granting agencies, the addition of Jekyll Island projects to the Glynn County SPLOST program, and appropriations from the Georgia Legislature that required no additional debt service. - Why not just “spruce up” the hotels and Convention Center?
Our past history, and our current market surveys, tell us that this approach will not result in an outcome that will secure the economic sustainability of the Island. The “spruce” up approach has been recommended and attempted over the past 30 years, with short-term results that have not resulted in economic stability and growth. There were major efforts to rehabilitate a number of hotels and the convention center in 1979, the mid 1980s, and from 1997-1999. While these efforts resulted in short-term gains in visitation and revenue, it has only sustained the island operationally and has not allowed for capital investment in amenities and infrastructure.
Jekyll Island Visitation
Friday, March 14th, 2008Guest Blogger: Ken Bleakly:
After reading the articles on the visitation numbers dispute, I was thinking that the data that Bill Tipton generates on visitation to the Golden Isles and Jekyll’s share of the visitation since 1999 should clearly show that the island has been stagnant while the region is growing. Also, if the island is “only “ down 15% in the last ten years how much has visitation in the state been growing during the same period, Jekyll has clearly been loosing out on capturing the growth which has been occurring in the state. Also, during the last twenty years the state’s population has grown by more than 3 million residents, and Jekyll’s visitation is, at best, flat or slowly declining—these differences are dramatic.
Ken Bleakly
AJC Re-Run
Thursday, March 13th, 2008On March 13, AJC reporter Dan Chapman filed a story that is nothing more than a re-hash of events that have already taken place and of information that has already be cleared up. Mr. Chapman was sent complete information that explains the accounting issue, along with letters from the State Auditor and reports from the Attorney General that show that the claims against the Jekyll Island State Park Authority are not true. Below are a few points to consider as you read this article:
1. The headline is remarkably similar to that used by Sen. Chapman in his discredited press release.
2. The writer refers to Sen. Chapman as the “region’s top legislator…” One must recognize House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons), Senator Pro Tem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) and Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons). No disrespect to Sen. Chapman, but Rep. Cecily Hill (R-Kingsland) and Rep. Roger Lane (R-Darien) also appear to have more legislation and more committee appointments.
3. The State Auditor is Russell Hinton, and he has sent letters acknowledging that Jekyll Island Authority’s numbers do add up! Mr. Thornton is a staff person in the Department of Audits. We have talked to Mr. Hinton, and so have many legislators that wanted to get a direct an explanation.
4. Dan Chapman, along with Sen. Chapman play with words with respect to the 2006 Annual Report. It shows a net loss, after depreciation! Most people know that depreciation is a non-cash expense, so yes the Earnings Statement shows a loss. But when you convert it to cash flow, the Jekyll Island Authority did not lose money. We are not allowed to by statute, we must be financially self-supporting. And of course when you add Grant Funds, you have even more money. But then you also have to look at the expense side of those, and all that money was spent on specific capital improvement projects.
5. The words “local sales tax revenues used for sewer projects…” refers to SPLOST projects on Jekyll Island that were approved by voters of Glynn County. Just like Grants that do not have to be repaid, SPLOST funds go directly on the balance sheet against the specific capital improvement project. We think it would be more misleading to include that on an Earnings Statement.
6. Dan Chapman repeats a quote from Sen. Chapman that the Jekyll Island Authority is “crying wolf.” I asked Dan Chapman to look at our Annual Reports or any other communication that the Jekyll Island Authority has put out, and honestly determine if we do anything of the sort. All of our communication is about positive accomplishments. The simple fact is that we identified the clear downward trend in visitation and started talking about how to solve it many years ago. That is the basis we have used for the initiative to revitalize Jekyll Island. We have not pointed to year-to-year variations in statistics, but the long-term downward trend and how to reverse it.
Even if you want to acknowledge Mr. Egan’s assertion that visitation is down only 15%, it is still accurate to say that the trend is downward, that it is “lagging” as it is counter to the tremendous growth in the region both in terms of population and tourism.
7. Dan Chapman failed to mention that Sen. Chapman’s concern over the Trammell Crow agreement was reviewed by the Attorney General and he found no problems with it, and that it is incorrect to call it a tax abatement nor does it violate the gratuities law. The Attorney General determined it is a standard property lease.
8. I understand the local radio talk show host took particular offense to my quote at the end of the article. That quote was pulled from my statement to Dan Chapman specific to the question over the traffic data between 1996-1997, not financial information. I was trying to explain the purpose of compiling these visitation numbers, and that the focus of our analysis will be to determine the optimum amount of visitation for the experience we want guests to have on Jekyll Island. We are looking forward, and want to have expert analysis help answer this important question.
9. Lastly, the chart again only chooses to show the revenue differences. As we have shown, there are also expense differences that net out to basically reflect the fact that we put Grants right onto our balance sheet as an asset, and the Audit Department converts them to revenue to incorporate into their CAFR. So they have only shown half of the story.
Chairman Porter responds:
“Mr. Chapman is consistent. He consistently tells half of the story, and doesn’t bother to check sources and learn the other half. As usual, his story today contains partial, incorrect information intended to mislead the public.”
