Posted in In the News, Just the Facts, Press Releases, Recycling | 1 Comment »

HHCP Architecture design team presents project planning and programming concepts for the revitalization of Jekyll Island beach village and entry corridor projects.

recap of work effort

The HHCP Architecture Design Team started work in April with a fact gathering kick off meeting with Jones Hooks, Jekyll Island Authority Executive Director, and Jim Broadwell, Jekyll Island Authority Project Manager. This was followed by a two day on-Island workshop with Jekyll Island Authority ( JIA) staff and Linger Longer Jekyll, LLC (LLJ) representatives. The purpose of this meeting was to establish the project goals and vision, review design concepts developed prior to the workshop, and to establish direction for future design work. Numerous ideas suggested in the workshop, as well as in follow-up discussions with JIA & LLJ, were subsequently developed and refi ned and have resulted in the conceptual plans for the Beach Village, Beach Park, and Convention Center, shown herein. A user input work session for the Village Signature Park/Boardwalk was held on May 27, 2009. With input from this session and from JIA staff and management, planning was completed in July with presentations to the JIA Board and the public on July 13th and 14th.

budget

The current Project Budget is $44.6 million dollars. JIA is carrying an additional $5 million dollar contingency. This includes all construction, equipment, furnishings and professional fees for all components of the project. Project components include: 1) Beach Village/Beach Park related entry and internal roads, parking, utilities, drainage and amenities; 2) New Convention
Center; 3) Refurbishing of the historic Morgan Building; 4) Providing temporary structures for convention use during 2010 & 2011. Budget estimates show that the current plan direction is within budget.

entry road

The majestic canopy of Jekyll Island’s live oaks will enhance the Beach Village entry experience at Ben Fortson Parkway. The two major roads of Jekyll Island, the Causeway and Beachview Drive, are both two lane roads and provide adequate traffic capacity for the existing and proposed development. The four lanes of Ben Fortson Parkway are presently oversized. The new design will convert the existing eastbound lanes into a two lane entry road. The existing westbound lanes will be used as part of an overfl ow parking lot. All improvements will take advantage of the existing live oaks to enhance the intimate character of the Jekyll Island entry experience.

beach park
Jekyll Island will be providing a newly expanded Beach Park experience. This park will include a walkway along the base of the existing dune tying
the park into the Village Green and retail buildings as well as the hotel development to the south. The Convention Center’s existing parking will be
redesigned to provide parking for the new Convention Center and Beach Park. The new design will have expanded family and group pavilions
with flexible activity lawns to accommodate a wide range of activities. A new beach deck will provide users an elevated view of the beach and
lawn activities. The large shade pavilion will provide restrooms and a comfortable place to enjoy the views and enhance the civic identity. Two new
dune crossovers will be constructed. All beach crossovers will have bicycle parking and showers. Native tree and shrub plantings will enhance the
beachside feel and provide durable, low maintenance vegetation to protect the dunes, provide wildlife habitat and educate visitors on the sensitivity
of barrier islands.

Tags: hhcp architecture, jekyll island beach village, jekyll island development, jekyll island revitalization, north beach park on jekyll island
Posted in Beachscape, November 2009, Press Releases | No Comments »

Reposted with permission from Our Net News. See the original posting here.

HHCP Architects presented the final Jekyll Island Beach Village plans to the Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors…….

Posted in In the News, Press Releases | No Comments »

Intermittently, I post a picture on my twitter account (Jekyll_Island), and people have to guess where it is. Fabuluxe, a wedding planner, guessed correctly and won! The “winner” provides me with content for my blog! Lucky for me right? So she graciously sent this today (hope she likes that I put her pic!). Thank you to her! So follow me and you could “win” too!

As a city girl transplanted in the South, I was curious to see the type of life I would live here in the Golden Isles. I can remember when I took my first trip to Jekyll Island– thinking this was a little slice of heaven tucked away for those lucky enough to find it. Eager to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life, it was so refreshing to experience “Georgia’s Jewel”. As a destination wedding planner for my company Fabuluxe, I could not ask for a better or more beautiful place to work. All of my clients and their guests come from different places across the globe– our great United States to England, Ireland, South Africa and so many other places. It is wonderful to tell them about richness of Jekyll Island and experience it with them for the first time. It is as if a new world has been opened exclusively for them, and what better feeling and atmosphere to have on your wedding day.

Destination weddings became a trend about ten years ago, and US destination weddings have become popular for the same reasons. Some guests cannot afford to travel out of the country: it is easier and less expensive to plan a getaway to a US island as opposed to an international location. With our strained economy, wedding couples are looking for innovative ways to make their wedding stand apart while still being budget-friendly and meaningful. As a wedding planner, it is my job to assist them with creating an event experience that is pleasing to all five senses as well as within their financial comfort zone. Jekyll Island lends so much to any wedding as it provides several options for the wedding location, dining, accommodations and activities.

From the regal Jekyll Club Hotel to the coastal chic of the Beachview Club, there is something here for everyone. I have come to learn and love all of the different places Jekyll Island because it appeals to all facets of my clients’ personalities. When a couple looks back on their special day years from now, they will see the backdrop of the strong oaks with the gentle Spanish moss, the quiet river glistening in the sun, the warm sand that kisses the tide, and remember their wedding fondly. Jekyll Island becomes so much more than their wedding location, but where they choose to spend their anniversaries to recapture those moments or a family vacation spot when they want to make new memories with their blossoming family. Jekyll Island feels like the home away from home that always welcomes you back with open arms. When I ask some of my clients why they chose a specific wedding location, their answers are remarkably similar: “Our family vacationed here when I was little and I always loved it. It just felt right”.

It feels just right to me, too. I’m so blessed to do what I do, and twice as blessed to do it on Jekyll Island where the love and magic in my couple’s eyes is reflection of the island’s own natural beauty.

Fabuluxe™ Inc.
ring • fax 888.720.LUXE
www.fabuluxeinc.com
www.fabuluxeblog.com

Member of the 2008-2009 Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Platinum List

Posted in Beach Bummin', Churches, Diversions, In the News, Nature Connection, Press Releases | 1 Comment »

Summer Waves Water Park on Jekyll Island is now open all week just in time for Memorial Day weekend. Regular park hours are Monday-Friday are 10 am – 6 pm with extended park hours on Saturday and Sunday.

Summer Waves Water Park offers six rushing water slides, the Turtle Creek lazy river, kiddie play zone, Splash Zone with a giant tipping bucket, and the Frantic Atlantic Wave Pool with waves reaching 2-4 feet high. In addition to cooling off, this season guests can “Have a Rockin Summer” at Summer Waves Water Park with in-park Wii Rock Band and karaoke competitions every weekend. For a quick, cool bite to eat the park features Larry’s Giant Subs and several snack stands serving cool drinks and cool treats.

Park Hours subject to change. For more information contact Summer Waves Water Park at 912-635-2074 or visit www.summerwaves.com. Be a fan of Summer Waves Water Park on facebook.com.

Tags: CU@SummerWaves, georgia beaches, georgia coast, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, georgia water parks, jekyll island, Jekyll Island vacations, larrys giant subs, Memorial Day, Memorial Day weekend vacations, Summer Waves Water Park, water park, water parks, water slides, wave pool
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The Quality Inn and Suites hotel of Jekyll Island, GA is pleased to announce that it was recently recognized as a hotel that “supports green practices” by its franchisor, Choice Hotels International. The Quality Inn and Suites hotel has successfully completed and fulfilled the basic requirements of the company’s “Room to be Green” program, an optional program that allows properties to be recognized for their fulfillment of specific “Green Initiative” requirements.

“We’re very excited to be able to let guests know that we are making efforts to be environmentally conscious,” said Linda Keel, general manager of the Quality Inn and Suites hotel. “We are always working to provide the things that travelers are looking for in their hotels today and by adopting these new ‘green’ practices, we hope to set ourselves apart from the competition.”

As a participant of Choice Hotels International’s “Room to be Green” program, the Quality Inn and Suites hotel has adopted green practices in the program’s core addressable areas of energy conservation, water conservation, and recycling and waste management.  In addition the Quality Inn and Suites hotel uses only biodegradable chemicals, lower water usage showerheads, and donates all old linens, blankets and pillows to the Red Cross or the Humane Society.

Some of the hotel’s new practices that it has already put into place include:

• Energy efficient lighting such as compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and LED signs.
• A towel and/or linen re-use program, giving guests the option to keep their linens throughout the course of their stay.
• Recycling receptacles for staff and guest use.

And for these efforts, the hotel has received a designation as a hotel that “Supports Green Practices” – a distinction that some travelers may value when choosing where to stay.

For more information on the Quality Inn and Suites hotel of Jekyll Island, GA, or to book your reservations today, visit choicehotels.com, jekyllislandquality.com, call 800.4CHOICE, or contact the property directly at 912.635.2202.

Tags: Choice Hotel Properties, Choice Hotels, Eco-Friendly Hotels, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Green Hotels, Group Accommodations on jekyll Island, Hotel Suites on Jekyll Island, hotels on Jekyll Island, jekyll island beach, jekyll island golf, jekyll island hotels, Jekyll Island Quality, Jekyll Island vacations, Quality Inn & Suites
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Jekyll Island is proud to announce the winners of the Seventh Annual Turtle Crawl Triathlon. Over 500 athletes participated in the Olympic Distance Triathlon, the Sprint Triathlon or the 5K Fun Run/Walk. A portion of the proceeds raised will go to support the ongoing operation of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.  For more information about the Turtle Crawl Triathlon visit gamultisports.com. For more information on the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island visit georgiaseaturtlecenter.org

Olympic Distance Triathlon Results

OVERALL MALE RESULTS

OVERALL FEMALE RESULTS

Sprint Distance Triathlon Results

OVERALL MALE RESULTS

OVERALL FEMALE RESULTS

5K Fun Run Results

MALE OVERALL WINNER

FEMALE OVERALL WINNER

Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl Triathlon – 5K Run/Walk Winners by Age Group

MALE AGE GROUP:  15 & Under

Coleman Duncan        Forsyth GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  15 & Under

Caitlin Forkin               Peachtree City GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  16 – 19

Tyler Kersten             Blackshear GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  16 – 19

Lacey Avery               Conyers GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  20 – 24

Nicole Lee                  Hinesville GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  25 – 29

Jason Palmer             Winder GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  25 – 29

Katie West                 Saint Augustine FL

MALE AGE GROUP:  30-34

Andrew Robertson      Brunswick GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  30 – 34

Teresa Lareau

FEMALE AGE GROUP:

Debbie Corey             St. Simons Island GA

FEMALE MASTERS OVERALL RESULTS

Joanna Cook              Brunswick GA

MALE MASTERS OVERALL RESULTS

Auguste Murphy         Brunswick GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  40 – 44

Joe Barber                 St. Simons Island GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  40 – 44

Tami Barber              St. Simons Island GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  45 – 49

James Flick               St Petersburg FL

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  45 – 49

Valerie Patrick            Marietta GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  50 – 54

William Vicory            Marietta GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  50 – 54

Jennifer West              Jacksonville FL

MALE AGE GROUP: 55-59

Jeff West                   Jacksonville FL

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  55 – 59

Mary Pafford              Brunswick GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  60 – 64

Rob Mason                 Lakeland FL

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  60 – 64

Jane Lafferty               Brunswick GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  65 – 69

Linda Snavely               Lakeland FL

Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl Triathlon – Sprint Triathlon Winners by Age Group

MALE AGE GROUPS

MALE AGE GROUP:  15 & Under

Tad Ellsworth             Canton GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  16 – 19

Thomas Millican         St Simons Isl GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  20 – 24

Brent Snodgrass         Atlanta GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  25 – 29

Grant Byrum               Alpharetta GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  30 – 34

Christopher Smith      Bonaire GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  35 – 39

Hugh Adams               Brunswick GA

MALE MASTERS CHAMPION

David Howard              Savannah GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  40 – 44

Steve White                Pooler GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  45 – 49

Richard Broxson        St Simons Isl GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  50 – 54

Wade Patrick           Marietta GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  55 – 59

Randy Chew             Pelham GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  60 – 64

Neal Sessions          Watkinsville GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  65 – 69

Steve Derrick             Marietta GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  70 – 98

Bobby Huggins            St Simons Isl GA

FEMALE AGE GROUPS

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  15 & Under

Alex Deregnacourt     Brunswick GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  20 – 24

Nicole Jones            Savannah GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  25 – 29

Emily Puskar            Richmond Hill GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  30 – 34

Amber Wellman       St. Simons Island

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  35 – 39

Wendy McLaughlin      Smyrna GA

FEMALE MASTERS CHAMPION

Debra Hopkins            Grovetown GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  40 – 44

Kim Ruple            Tyrone GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  45 – 49

Mary Stuart Bland       Atlanta GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  55 – 59

Kathy Bruce             Atlanta GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  60 – 64

Judith Garrard          Lawrenceville GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  65 – 69

Sharon Blount            Saint Simons Island GA

OTHER

PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

Brad Wallace Erlandson   Clarkston MI

CLYDESDALE 200 +

Jeff Specht              St Simons Isl GA

ATHENA

Sherilyn Dawn Narker     Decatur GA

Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl Triathlon -Olympic Distance Winners by Age Group

MALE AGE GROUPS

MALE AGE GROUP:  20 – 24

Dane A Teszler          Atlanta GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  25 – 29

Ryan Williams            Savannah GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  30 – 34

Russ Marshall            Sugar Hill GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  35 – 39

Pete Doedens             Cumming GA

MALE MASTERS CHAMPION

Nathan Nevid             Lake Park FL

MALE AGE GROUP:  40 – 44

Michael Kitchens         Danville GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  45 – 49

Jeff Plank                   Atlanta GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  50 – 54

Keith Woodward          Atlanta GA

MALE AGE GROUP:  55 – 59

Jeremy Smith              Jacksonville FL

MALE AGE GROUP:  60 – 64

Ron Joel Weiss            Oak Island NC

MALE AGE GROUP:  70 – 98

William O. Stubbs, Jr.   Statesboro GA

FEMALE AGE GROUPS

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  20 – 24

Susie Klonicki               Marietta GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  25 – 29

Leigh White                 Pooler GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  30 – 34

Ellen Kohl                   Athens GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  35 – 39

Nancy Meck                Atlanta GA

FEMALE MASTERS CHAMPION

Elizabeth Jones           Macon GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  40 – 44

Cherie Blanzola           Beaufort SC

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  45 – 49

Natalie Taylor             Alpharetta GA

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  50 – 54

Beverly Ungerer           Lakewood NY

FEMALE AGE GROUP:  55 – 59

Sherrie Gibney-            Sherman  Athens GA

OTHER

CLYDESDALE 200 +

Thomas Burrell Harris I   Atlanta GA

ATHENA

Kathryn Honderd          Atlanta GA

Tags: Bike Races in Georgia, GA Sea Turtle Center, Georgia Multisports, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island bike paths, Jekyll Island vacations, road races in Georgia, triathlon, Triathlons in Georgia, Turtle Crawl
Posted in Festivalgoer, Press Releases | 1 Comment »

Thanks to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, the University of Georgia, and the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, diamondback terrapins now have safe havens along the Jekyll Island Causeway. Artificial nest mounds with raccoon proof cages have been placed at strategic points to hopefully reduce the number of terrapins crossing the road.

“Every year 200-300 terrapins are hit by cars while trying to cross the causeway,” said Dr. Terry Norton, Director and Veterinarian for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center “The turtles are looking for elevated ground to nest. Since the roadways are elevated above the marshlands around them, terrapins often believe them to be suitable nesting areas.”

The mounds were built to be safe elevated nesting areas approximately 30 ft back from the edge of the causeway to thereby decrease the number of times the terrapins try to cross the road. In addition, cages on top of the mounds will reduce the threat of predation. Terrapins can get in and out of the cages through small spaces at the bottom, but predators such as raccoons can not.

The work, although in its preliminary stages, is backed by similar projects in the Northeast for wood turtles. The concept is still in a research stage, and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and its collaborators will examine the results at the end of the nesting season to see how much of difference the project made. “We are basically testing it out,” said Norton. “So it is a research project with conservation implications.”

Tags: conservation efforts, diamondback terrapins, georgia beaches, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, georgia terrapins, georgia turtles, georgia vacations, jekyll island, jekyll island causeway, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, sea turtles, terrapin turtles, turtle nesting
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Celebrate Spring on Jekyll Island with the first annual Jekyll Island Mother Nature Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2009. The festival boasts numerous activities for families to enjoy the outdoors and explore Jekyll Island while being green-conscious.

“Jekyll Island is an environmentally rich vacation destination with numerous amenities that allow our guests to get an up-close, non-invasive look at the eco-systems that make our island unique,” said Beth Burnsed, Event Marketing Coordinator for the Jekyll Island Authority. “The Mother Nature Festival showcases those amenities while educating children and their parents on how to be more eco-friendly.”

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is the main hub of event festivities. From 10 AM – 4 PM, the Center will host an eco-friendly exhibitor area, eco-craft zone, outdoor entertainment and silent auction. In the exhibitor area, environmental organizations, artists, and shops will exhibit their eco-conscious and nature-related wares. Simultaneously, in the children’s eco-craft zone, kids can practice being environmentally friendly by making recycled-art projects while learning about Sea Turtles and their habitat.

Other activities include a Family Fishing Day sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, an Eco-Book Fair at Jekyll Books, a kite buggy demonstration on the beach, and a herpetology session at Tidelands Nature Center. All of these events are free and open to the public.

For added adventure, families can choose from a variety guided excursions. Tours include Helicopter Rides, Dolphin Tours, Eco-Tours, Off-Shore Fishing, Kayaking, Bird Rambles, Beach Ecology Walks and Horseback Riding. Advanced registration for the above excursions is highly recommended.

As an eco-friendly incentive, the Jekyll Island parking fee will be waived on April 18 for all guests driving a hybrid vehicle to the festival. For more information on all Mother Nature Festival activities and excursions visit www.jekyllisland.com/mothernaturefestival or call 1-877-4JEKYLL. Get regular updates on the festival by being a fan of the Jekyll Island Mother Nature Festival on Facebook.com

Tags: Earth Day at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island festivals, jekyll island historic district, jekyll island mother nature festival, Jekyll Island vacations, Mother Nature Festival, outdoor activities on jekyll island, the georgia sea turtle center jekyll island
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The Georgia Sea Turtle Center would like to announce their new hours for Spring 2009 through Winter 2010.

April 09-Nov 09:
Monday 10am-2pm
Tues-Sun 9am-5pm

Dec 09-Feb 10
Monday CLOSED
Tues-Sun 9am-5pm

Holidays:
Thanksgiving Day: 10am-2pm
Christmas Eve Day: CLOSED
Christmas Day: CLOSED
New Year’s Day: CLOSED

Tags: Georgia Museums, jekyll island sea turtles, Jekyll Island vacations, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island
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Since the inception of the Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits: Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival in 2006, Joe Barnett, Jr. has participated and won in every Shrimp & Grits Cooking Competition. His winning streak and jovial personality caught the attention of Food Network. On March 18 at 9:00 PM the amateur chef will go up against world-renowned chef Bobby Flay on Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay”.

Taped in Joe Barnett’s hometown of Washington, GA, the show features Joe Barnett cooking his version of shrimp & grits against Bobby Flay’s version. Both chefs use locally caught wild Georgia shrimp provided by the Georgia Shrimp Association, a partner in the Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits annual festival. Their dishes are judged by local fans and shrimp & grits connoisseurs. The one-on-one competition was a complete surprise to Barnett. In each “Throwdown” episode, the amateur cook thinks Food Network is shooting their profile for a show. What they don’t know is that Food Network star Bobby Flay is going to drop in for a surprise visit and challenge them to an unexpected cook-off.

“I was shocked when Bobby Flay walked onto the set,” said Barnett. “Of course, I’m always up for a cook-off and was proud to represent the Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival and the Georgia Shrimp Association.”

The annual Shrimp & Grits: Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival is held each year on Jekyll Island in September. This year’s event is scheduled for September 18-20 and will include cooking competitions, celebrity book signing, cooking demonstrations, shrimp boat tours and excursions and much more. More details can be found at jekyllisland.com and the festival Facebook fan page.

Tags: Georgia Shrimp Association, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island revitalization, Jekyll Island vacations, Shrimp & Grits Festival, shrimp and grits festival, shrimp festival, The wild georgia shrimp festival
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The Jekyll Island Authority today announced its selection for Planning, Architectural and Engineering Services for the Jekyll Island Convention Center, Beachfront Park and Entry Corridor Revitalization areas. The selection is a conclusion of Request for Qualified Contractor #253 and was approved by the Jekyll Island Authority Board on Monday.

The Jekyll Island Authority is pleased to select HHCP Architecture, Inc. as the winning firm. HHCP will contract and report to the Jekyll Island Authority and together with HHCP’s project team work with the JIA along with revitalization partner Linger Longer Communities to fulfill the vision for the new beach village.

“We had 33 responses to the RFQC, so the review team had a great amount of work to complete in a short amount of time,” stated Jones Hooks, Executive Director of the Jekyll Island Authority. “There were many great firms, but HHCP really impressed us, bringing a higher level of excitement and a deeper understanding of the importance and potential the beach village project has.”

HHCP Architecture, Inc. will be the primary partner and handle architecture, programming, budget & scheduling and LEED qualification. Among HHCP’s project team, site consultants will be Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co. of Brunswick, GA who will handle civil engineering and surveying. Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin of Atlanta will handle transportation planning, site planning, landscape architecture, environmental and graphics & wayfinding. Building consultants will be structural engineers Stanley D. Lindsey and Associates of Atlanta, mechanical engineers TLC Engineering for Architecture from Orlando and interior designer TJNG Partners also of Orlando. HHCP Architecture, Inc. is licensed and registered in Georgia with its main headquarters in Maitland, Florida.

“The new Jekyll Island Convention Center and Beach Village has the potential to create a strong sense of place and give visitors an enjoyable, rich and unique experience that will make them want to visit again,” stated Alan Helman, senior partner with HHCP Architecture, Inc. “We are obviously pleased with the selection and are confident in our team’s ability to meet the goals and exceed expectations.”

Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects, Inc. (HHCP) was founded in 1975 and has grown to become one of the southeast’s most experienced and respected architectural firms. With a staff of 67 professionals and support staff, HHCP has project experience all over the world, most in the hospitality industry. Much of the domestic experience is in Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico and includes the Orange County Convention Center and University of Central Florida’s College of Hospitality in Orlando. HHCP’s work on the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort was recognized as the 2007 Project of the Year by Associated Builders and Contractors.

The Jekyll Island Beach Village project is one of several redevelopment projects which will bring about the revitalization of Jekyll Island. Along with a new convention center and beachfront park, partner Linger Longer Communities will construct two adjacent hotels, a retail shopping village with public plaza and a new vacation ownership lodging project. The entry corridor to Jekyll Island will be re-worked to unify the site and place the beach village adjacent and overlooking the beach and ocean. The total project is expected to cost $165+ million.

Even during revitalization, Jekyll Island offers guests a wonderful beach escape with hotels, rental cottages and campground all operating. All restaurants, tennis facilities, bike paths, Summer Waves Water Park, Historic Landmark District and golf courses are open for business; and miles of uncrowded beach are unaffected by revitalization project work. For more information about Jekyll island revitalization, visit www.jekyllisland.com. For more information on HHCP Architecture, Inc., please visit www.hhcp.com.

Tags: georgia beaches, georgia vacations, jekyll island authority, jekyll island authority board, jekyll island convention center, jekyll island meetings, jekyll island redevelopment, Jekyll island revitaliz, Jekyll Island vacations
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Thursday, February 26, 2:00-4:00 PM – The public is invited to join Alex Sweeny and an archaeological research team from Brockington and Associates as they excavate the remains from a native American shell midden near the Jekyll Island gas station on Ben Fortson Parkway.  The public will learn more about the current archaeological research efforts on Jekyll Island and delve into the puzzles of the past. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the site, inspect artifacts uncovered during the course of the dig, ask questions, and learn about Georgia’s prehistory.

Details about the site:
The midden site was first discovered during an archaeological survey conducted in the mid-1990s. It was resurveyed in 2008. The archaeologists are now returning for a second more intensive phase of research to examine the site in greater depth.

Based on the results of last year’s work, Sweeney describes the site as “likely the remains of either a seasonally occupied resource extraction locale or a small village or hamlet.” Prehistoric ceramic sherds located at the site suggest that it may have been occupied beginning about 300 BC, during the Middle to Late Woodland Period , at a time when small seasonal villages were beginning to appear. It may have been occupied until as late as about 1540 AD, the end of the Mississippian Period and just before European arrival to the area.

Sweeney and his crew are working closely with members of the Jekyll Island Museum on the project. The Jekyll Island Museum, a division of the Jekyll Island Authority, works in consultation with the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Natural Resources to oversee the management of all of the archaeological resources on Jekyll Island.

John Hunter, the Director of the Jekyll Island Museum, encourages visitors to attend the public archaeology program. “I would like to see the museum spend more time doing public archaeology in the long term,” he admitted. “It is a great way to share information about the past. You get to be outside, doing something active and hands on, and really learning concrete, everyday things about the people who were here before us. What could be better than that?”

Tags: georgia coast history, georgia coast vacations, jekyll island, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island history, jekyll island museum, Jekyll Island vacations
Posted in History comes Alive, Press Releases | No Comments »

Beginning this year, the Jekyll Island Authority Event Marketing team is getting extra help via volunteer participation on event planning committees. The committee approach was initiated to encourage more community and inter-departmental involvement at all Jekyll Island events.”Our local business owners, managers, and residents are great resources for ideas and are eager to help,” said Jones Hooks, Executive Director of the Jekyll Island Authority. “By establishing these committees, we hope to bring those ideas together and open more lines of communication between the JIA and our community.”

The Event Planning Committees are divided into two categories. Event Support Committees help bolster all events via sponsorship sales, fund-raising, entertainment negotiations, financial management, volunteer recruitment, and environmental oversight. Event Committees work on issues directly related to their specific event. An Event Steering Committee, comprised of representatives from each of the other committees, oversees all events and makes decisions on any new event proposals.

“With more people involved we are able to gather ideas and find better solutions,” said Beth Burnsed, Event Marketing Coordinator for the Jekyll Island Authority. “We want our annual events to be more community-oriented rather than just promote tourism. So far the response has been extremely positive and we appreciate the input and support.”

Interested parties are still invited to participate on an Event Committee. To sign up contact Beth Burnsed, Event Marketing Coordinator for the Jekyll Island Authority at 912-635-4189. For more information on all Jekyll Island events, visit www.jekyllisland.com.

Tags: jekyll island, jekyll island beach, jekyll island beach music festival, jekyll island convention center, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island golf, jekyll island hotels, Jekyll Island volunteers, Shrimp & Grits Festival
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The Chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority will host the first meeting of the Jekyll Advisory Forum on February 5th, 2009. The new advisory forum was established by Chairman Bob Krueger to provide input and advice on future decisions facing the Jekyll Island Authority Board. The advisory group, comprised of leaders from across the state, will work with the board as it guides Jekyll Island through the revitalization process over the next several years.

“Even though we allow time at each board meeting for public input, this forum will be a more appropriate venue for deeper discussion on certain issues facing the Authority,” said Bob Krueger, Chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority Board. “Jekyll Island is such an important asset to all Georgia, and therefore this forum includes community leaders from across the state.”

Twenty-four invitees have confirmed their attendance at the inaugural meeting. Areas of expertise are widespread participants and include a representative from the Georgia Conservancy, Georgia Land Conservation, Jekyll Island residents, City of Brunswick, Glynn County, chamber of commerce representatives and citizens at-large.

“With revitalization in full swing, the Advisory Forum will be instrumental in keeping the lines of communication open between the Authority and the community,” said Jones Hooks, Executive Director of the Jekyll Island Authority. “We are committed to listening, and charting the right course the best serves the citizens of Georgia.”

The Jekyll Advisory Forum will meet regularly throughout the year and will be a valuable resource to the policy-making board. The revitalization of Jekyll Island seeks to reverse the downward trend in visitation that has occurred over the last twenty years as facilities have become outdated. Several hotel redevelopment projects are underway, and the Jekyll Island Authority has plans for a new convention center and “signature” beachfront park. Together with commercial redevelopment, new public amenities will attract more convention and vacation guests to the island. The revenue generated from visitor activity will make it possible for the Jekyll Island Authority to care for the public island, including 65% of the island that must remain undeveloped. As one of only three Georgia barrier islands accessible by automobile, Jekyll Island is a critically important tourism asset for the state. Because of the statewide importance, Jekyll Island Authority Chairman Krueger announced the formation of the forum upon his appointment in September 2008 as a way to receive input and advice.

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Ryker Carter, president and CEO of Carter Group Land and developer of Big Horse joins Beth Burnsed from the Jekyll Island Authority and Jenna McNeal of Sunny 103 in presenting a $2000 check as proceeds from the “Holiday Hope” promotion to Regina Martin, Executive Director of the Golden Isles Children’s Advocacy Center. Pictured from l-r: Michael Mower, Jenna McNeal, Beth Burnsed, Ryker Carter, Regina Martin, Nora Morris and Jonathan Havens.

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Following the adjournment of their January 14 monthly board meeting, the Jekyll Island Authority Board took a hard hat tour of the new Hampton Inn & Suites hotel.  Set to open late summer 2009, the hotel will included 138 hotel rooms, a restaurant, and meeting space. It will be the first new hotel to open on Jekyll Island since 1974.

The new hotel is being constructed on the basic footprint of the former Holiday Inn, preserving the oak tree canopy that is unique to the site. When open, the hotel will feature boardwalks through maritime forest and over protected sand dunes. The adjacent beach is the widest and most pristine on Jekyll Island, with wonderful views of Cumberland Island and the Atlantic Ocean.

The new Hampton inn & Suites is one component being built on the site of the former Holiday Inn. The developer is Jekyll Ocean Oaks LLC, and includes partners that also own and operate the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel. The Jekyll Ocean Oaks project is one of five hotel redevelopment projects on Jekyll Island currently underway. Along with the seven hotels currently operating, the new hotel and convention center projects will bring about a revitalization of Jekyll Island making it a premier vacation and convention destination.

For more information about Jekyll Island revitalization visit www.jekyllisland.com/news.

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By Joe Wilkinson

During the gilded age of the late 1880s and until World War II, Jekyll Island was a place where Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Astors, Morgans and Pulitzers would escape the cold New York winters.

More than a century later, however, many of Jekyll Island’s facilities are in disrepair —- so much that even some Boy Scouts trying to earn merit badges don’t find much appeal to this precious coastal asset. Numerous civic and professional groups have scratched Jekyll off their list for annual conventions.

The sad fact is Jekyll has suffered a 23 percent drop in tourism since 1989. It is in desperate need of revitalization, and now is the perfect time to undertake a major redevelopment while protecting the fragile environment as the foremost goal.

Earlier this month, the Jekyll Island Authority finalized a 25-year contract with Linger Longer Communities to revitalize the island. On Monday, the authority made a final amendment to its long-term master plan so redevelopment can proceed in January. For the sake of Jekyll and the people of Georgia, it is time to now move forward and to stop changing the rules and moving the goal line. With this plan for the state to partner with the private sector to carefully redevelop Jekyll, all parties have won.

As someone who has a second home in Glynn County, the future of this island is as important to me as it is to the residents of Jekyll and others who fear the word development. I, too, am an environmentalist. Yet I knew it was important to strike a balance between making Jekyll attractive to the public and not harming the ecosystem including loggerhead turtles and a variety of birds. I believe the state has struck that balance with this developer.

I applaud the Jekyll Island Authority for responding to public concerns and working with the developer to scale back original plans for the 10-mile-long island. It agreed to reduce the size of the 22-acre Beach Village, the largest proposed project.

Concessions include:

> A proposed 141,000-square-foot convention center has been changed to a renovation of the existing convention center at 76,000 square feet.

> A proposal for 725 new hotel rooms has been scaled back to 350 rooms. The original concept was to include three hotels; now there will be two.

> A plan for a 59,000-square-foot retail shopping center has been reduced to 30,000 square feet.

The state will also earn $20 million in the first 15 years of the lease —- money that can be used for beach renourishment or to make repairs to the historic village where the wealthy visitors lodged so long ago.

In today’s economy, Georgia taxpayers are fortunate to find a private partner to operate and build these new facilities at no cost. In addition, a new Jekyll will bring 700 jobs to Glynn County and $94 million in sales tax and $38 million in motel tax revenue to the state and local coffers. That’s not worth another hour of delay because of continued disputes over procedure or the concept of this project.

In 1947, the state bought Jekyll for a bargain, just $600,000. The purpose was to make it a place for all Georgians to revel in a piece of the Golden Isles. As a member of the board of the Jekyll Island Foundation, I believe no one can say they are a true Georgian unless they have experienced the marshes of the island, Jekyll’s dunes or the sea turtles that nest there. Fortunately for all of us, Jekyll will be a much more appealing place thanks to the work those who will give it another Golden Age —- this time, in the 21st century.

>Joe Wilkinson, a state representative (R) from Sandy Springs, is a part-time resident of St. Simon’s Island and a member of the board of the Jekyll Island Foundation.

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Members of the Legislative Oversight Committee in attendance were Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons), Rep. Terry Barnard (R-Glennville), Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), Sen. Ross Tolleson (R-Perry) and Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville). Jekyll Island Authority Chairman Bob Krueger delivered a complete update on revitalization that includes five projects and represents over $390 million of private investment to rebuild Jekyll’s aging hotels and convention center. Chairman Krueger gave a detailed description of the recently adopted amendment to the Jekyll Island Master Plan that will allow work on the new Beach Village project to move forward.

Oversight Committee members were pleased with the progress and satisfied with the terms of the recent redevelopment agreements, including the new Revitalization Partnering Agreement with Georgia-based Linger Longer Communities. All new ground leases are tied to the fair market value of the land and include inflation-based increases. Land values range from $600,000 to $900,000 per acre. New leases also include requirements for continued capital investment.

Members raised concern over existing Jekyll Island residential leases that are not tied to land value, and expressed their desire for a remedy. Residential leases were created over fifty years ago and have a fixed ground lease rate. Residential units on Jekyll Island occupy 204 acres, more than four times the amount of land currently under commercial redevelopment. Residential lease revenue to the Jekyll Island Authority from these older leases averages $350 per lease or $1,025 per acre, equivalent to less than 1% of a fair market value-based lease.

Concern over residential leases continued with a discussion and question of how leases on the protected south end will be handled. The southern portion of the island was given special protection in 2006 under HB214. Oversight Committee Chairman Keen asked legislative counsel to determine if residential leases could even be extended in this area of the island.

Jekyll Island Authority Vice-Chairman Steve Croy reinforced the importance of moving forward with Jekyll Island revitalization given the struggling economy and the continued decline in island visitation. Committee members were impressed with the number of Georgia-based conventions that currently meet outside the state but have expressed intention to return to Jekyll Island once new hotels are built.

Rep. Drenner echoed the compliments of committee members with the progress of revitalization, but did express a desire for more information regarding environmental protection. Chairman Krueger shared the elements of Jekyll Island Design Guidelines that encourage LEED-certification for new development, and recent conservation initiatives including the new Wildlife Viewing Platform located on the Jekyll Island Causeway overlooking the Marshes of Glynn.

Sen. Jeff Chapman (R-Brunswick), not a member of the Oversight Committee but whose district includes Jekyll Island, was extended committee courtesy to make remarks. Sen. Chapman applauded efforts to improve Jekyll Island, but referenced a letter distributed to committee members that outlines criticism over revitalization projects. His criticism and call for a halt to revitalization stood in contrast to the support of the committee. Chairman Keen acknowledged receipt of the letter, and asked the Jekyll Island Authority to prepare a complete written response.

A complete video archive of the meeting is available online at http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/house/Committees/GLN/boardcastIndex.htm

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The Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division (CRD) and Jekyll Island Authority have announced that renovation of the Jekyll Island public boating access site is complete.  Improvements include a larger, resurfaced boat ramp, a larger boating service dock, and more parking area. This $400,000 renovation was one of four projects made possible by a $1.5 million CRD budget enhancement approved by the Georgia legislature in 2007.

The new ramp is 50-ft wide allowing three boaters to launch or load simultaneously.  It is 130 feet long and extends well below the low tide line making it possible for boaters to safely launch and recover their vessels at all stages of the tide. The service dock now provides 200 feet of perimeter providing space for several boats. Two acres of crushed-limestone-surface parking area was added to the site. The lot also includes handicapped parking and space of anglers fishing in the nearby lake, Ski Rixen Pond.

The boat ramp launches into Jekyll Creek, a popular area for fisherman seeking triple tail, redfish and trout. The ramp is also a favored launch site for kayakers looking to explore the vast salt marsh, creeks, and rivers adjacent to Jekyll Island.  These improvements and expansions will allow more fishermen and kayakers to enjoy Jekyll Island’s intrarcoastal waterways.

In addition to the boat ramp, Ski Rixen Pond is rich fishing location for anglers seeking redfish, speckled trout, and Atlantic croaker. For those visitors wishing to explore the area without fishing, Tidelands Nature Center is a wildlife educational facility and canoe/paddleboat rental location sponsored by the University of Georgia. Tidelands is located on the shore of Ski Rixen Pond and also offers guided kayak tours through the intracoastal waterways. These tours are individual lessons in kayaking and up-close encounters with the eco-systems that border Jekyll Island.

The above picture was taken at the December 15 ribbon cutting. Pictured are members of the Jekyll Island Authority Board; staff of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division; and Jekyll Island Authority Staff. Cutting the ribbon (left to right, holding scissors) are Shawn Jordan, DNR Boating Access Coordinator; Spud Woodward, DNR Asst. Director of Marine Fisheries; and Bob Krueger, Chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority Board.

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