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…….

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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

1  Samuel Morgan	Atlanta GA
2  Dennis Reardon	Canton GA
3  Daniel C Arnett	Atlanta GA

OVERALL FEMALE RESULTS

1  Jennifer Ashley Walz	Savannah GA
2  Katherine Clark Tindol	Suwanee GA
3  Kimberly Dunker	Athens GA

Sprint Distance Triathlon Results

OVERALL MALE RESULTS

1   Buff Leary	St Simons Isl GA
2   Tony Hammett	Douglasville GA
3   Kalen Smith	Savannah GA

OVERALL FEMALE RESULTS

1    Jamye Specht	St Simons Isl GA
2    Caroline Geiken	St. Simons Isl GA
3    Camille Gilbert	Atlanta GA

5K Fun Run Results

MALE OVERALL WINNER

1   Matthew Garmon	Waycross GA
2   Bryan Holcomb
3   Ben Burkett	Brunswick GA

FEMALE OVERALL WINNER

1  Allisone Espelosin	Atlanta GA
2   Brooke Shivers	Evans GA
3   Macy Flick	Brunswick GA

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
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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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