Posts Tagged ‘ ga ’
Revitalization Presses Forward on Jekyll Island, GA
Friday, November 21st, 2008
First Redeveloped Condominium Hotel Opens Doors This Week
Jekyll Island, Ga., Nov. 18, 2008 – Although real estate development has stagnated in most parts of the country, it’s moving ahead rapidly on Jekyll Island, Georgia. In October, the board of directors for the Jekyll Island Authority approved revitalization plans for the island paradise, and this week Jekyll Oceanfront Resort becomes the first redeveloped condominium hotel to open its doors to owners and guests on this state-owned barrier island.
“During the real estate boom in the early part of this decade, developers seemed to have overlooked Jekyll Island,” said Tripp Snyder, Managing Partner, Jekyll Oceanfront Development Investors 1, LLC (JODI 1), “so the prices have remained extremely attractive for development. The hotel condominiums are absolutely one of the best investments on the East Coast because of the incredible affordability of Jekyll Island.”
Lower construction costs have allowed Jekyll Oceanfront Development to rebuild and now sell these condo-hotel villas at a great value. They used the best architects, designers, and contractors available to update and enhance the former 1970’s-style facilities to 21st-century standards. For example, the lobby of the resort is undergoing a complete re-design by noted interior designer Lisa Torbett, whose work has been featured in Architectural Digest and other prestigious design publications.
These beach-access and ocean-front villas are being offered for prices ranging from $100,000 to $495,000. Comparable condominiums with beach access on neighboring islands cost in excess of a million dollars.
“We’re experiencing exceptionally strong investment interest,” said Snyder. “Because beach-access real estate is a rare and limited commodity, this property is probably one of the safest purchases in the country today. At a time when many other investments have lost their luster, investment ocean-front real estate is highly attractive. For example, one potential buyer is purchasing three units. Many have told us that the value of property on Jekyll Island will only continue to appreciate.”
“The new Jekyll Oceanfront Resort is an absolutely beautiful and affordable resort within steps of our pristine, highly desirable beaches,” said C. Jones Hooks, Executive Director, Jekyll Island Authority. “The dream of revitalization is quickly becoming a reality here on Jekyll Island, and it’s really exciting to see the transformation take place.”
State law mandates that 65 percent of Jekyll island remain in its undeveloped natural state, and the revitalization plan places high priority on environmental preservation. The hotel condominiums, which are located on ten acres of lushly landscaped oceanfront property, have been redesigned to both utilize the existing footprint already in place, and also reflect the beautiful historic district design.
“This is just the kind of project that Jekyll needs to revitalize the island,” said former State Senator Ed Boshears.
The Jekyll Oceanfront Resort units are the first of their kind to be offered for sale on Jekyll Island. Once purchased, they will be available for rental by the Jekyll Oceanfront Resort’s management team. “We’ve already been approached by investors who see this as a good place to put their money,” said Snyder. “It’s a difficult economy, and in their view this investment has limited down-side risk and exciting up-side potential. Plus, they like being able to take advantage of the state-mandated rental program for a top-notch resort. But it’s much more than simply a terrific investment. The property is located on a beautiful barrier island that offers one of the best locations on the East Coast for a delightful and affordable vacation.”
Georgia Sea Turtle Center Selects Founding Visionary as New Director
Friday, September 12th, 2008
Jekyll Island, Ga., September 10, 2008 – The Georgi
a Sea Turtle Center, located on historic Jekyll Island, Ga., has selected Dr. Terry M. Norton to be its new director. Dr. Norton, who assumed his new position effective September 5, has been integrally involved in planting and nurturing the idea for the center since 2001. He has been the director of veterinary services for the organization since it opened on June 16, 2007, and he will continue to serve in that capacity.
Dr. Norton comes with impressive credentials that include a Bachelor of Science degree from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tufts University in Boston, and more than twenty years of experience working with zoos, aquaria, and free-ranging wildlife.
“Dr. Norton was an integral part of the early success of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center,” said Jones Hooks, Executive Director, Jekyll Island Authority. “He helped create the shared vision that began this great work, and now we’re thrilled that he will lead the Center into the future.”
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) provides rehabilitation treatment for injured sea turtles and other wildlife; conducts research and professional training in wildlife medicine, husbandry, biology and education; and offers educational programs for the public.
Since the Georgia Sea Turtle Center opened, more than 110,000 visitors have toured the $3 million, 10,000-square-foot facility. A restored 1903 brick building that once supplied power to the famous Jekyll Island Club hotel houses an exhibit area, retail space, and state-of-the-art rooms dedicated to surgery, digital radiography (X-rays), and long-term treatment.
“It’s an interactive educational environment,” explained Dr. Norton. “Visitors to our center really get engaged. For example, our treatment room has a window so that visitors can actually watch us work on our patients, and we can discuss the particular animal’s life history, medical problem, and treatment or surgery. A walkway through the rehabilitation area allows them to see the turtles we are nursing back to health, with the goal of releasing them back into the sea. Our center is the first of its kind in Georgia, and as far as I know, it’s the only one in the country that comprehensively integrates rehabilitation, interactive education, professional training, and veterinary research.”
An Emphasis on Education and Research
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s rehabilitation work to protect and preserve sea turtles is just one important aspect of its mission. The center also conducts research and provides educational and awareness programs for the public.
In a twelve-month period approximately 5000 students from close to 100 different schools and scout groups visited the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. In addition, the center takes its educational programs into numerous schools. At the same time, GSTC is conducting groundbreaking research to develop diets and nutritional supplements to promote sea turtle health and healing. This research could benefit aquaria and rehabilitation institutions all over the world.
Leading the Way for Others
“Our vision extends beyond our immediate region,” said Dr. Norton. “We want our research, conservation, preservation, and educational activities to benefit organizations in other parts of the country and the world. We have already developed training programs for veterinarians and veterinary students from across the United States, the Caribbean, Panama, and other places.”
In the spring of 2009, GSTC plans to host an International Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Workshop in partnership with many other institutions, including Ross University in St. Kitts; the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; St. Catherine’s Island Foundation; the Jekyll Island Authority and Foundation; the University of Florida and the University of Georgia Colleges of Veterinary Medicine; the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet, Florida; the Marine Life Center in Melbourne, Florida; the Turtle Hospital in Marathon Key, Florida; and possibly others.
“My long-term vision is to expand the scope of our mission,” said Dr. Norton. “In the future we’d like to develop health-related programs for a wider variety of native wildlife and promote ecosystem health locally and internationally, while at the same time increasing our efforts on behalf of turtles.”
Additional Information
For more information about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, visit www.GeorgiaSeaTurtleCenter.org. Visitors to the GSTC website can use satellite tracking to follow the travels of six turtles that have been rehabilitated and released.
Dylan, who is perhaps the most famous of the six, made a personal appearance on Good Morning America and has her own video on YouTube!
