OPEN GOVERNMENT HEROES: BABS McDONALD and MINDY and DAVID EGAN, Jekyll Island activists: How many visitors does island get?

Babs McDonald realizes that open government comes with a price.

Earlier this year, McDonald, who lives in Athens, requested documents from the Jekyll Island Authority concerning sharp declines in the number of people visiting the island.

The information she wanted was not in one file, the authority responded, but she was free to examine all the files she wished —- 186 boxes containing 1,000 pages each, at a cost of $425. Or she could order copies of everything, which would come to $46,500.

“I could just imagine myself walking into a room with a monitor, i.e. guard, and looking at these boxes. Where would I begin?” said McDonald, who works for the U.S. Forest Service. “As a citizen of the state and as a scientist, I believe they ought to be held accountable for sharing how they arrived at those figures. I can’t imagine that the information would be on 180,000 pieces of paper.”

Eric Garvey, senior director of marketing and business development for the authority, said the authority’s staff was not able to reasonably fulfill McDonald’s request.

“She wanted all these archived documents. It was unfortunate that it did seem like a lot of money,” he said.

McDonald and others involved in the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island, which claims 10,000 members, are concerned about plans for a giant $352 million redevelopment of the island by Linger Longer Communities. The plan envisions a “town center” built on 63 acres on Jekyll with hotels, condominiums, time shares, a convention center and a retail center. It also calls for park space and an environmental education center.

Opponents say the authority, known as the JIA, has not been forthcoming in responding to requests for information related to the project.

Garvey dismisses those charges.

“Not only does the Jekyll Island Authority take its responsibility to open government seriously with respect to documents, we also answer any correspondence we receive,” he wrote in an e-mail to the AJC. “We understand we are a public entity, and if someone requests a document, most often times it is just handed to them. We do get more formal requests from time to time, and those we log and coordinate responses with our representative from the attorney general’s office.”

David and Mindy Egan are the founders and co-directors of the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island. Part of the Egans’ argument about the Linger Longer redevelopment plan is that the JIA has understated the number of visitors to Jekyll as a way of showing that the island is in need of redevelopment.

David Egan says visitation has not declined by 47 percent between 1996 and 2007, as the JIA reported, but by 15 percent.

In addition, the group is often told that information it wants from the JIA is not available, Egan says, or the information is not provided in a timely fashion.

The activist said he has not received a response to questions submitting in writing earlier this year about the original master plan for a 24-acre development, which now has more than doubled in size. When he asked that question at a board meeting in January, he says he was told to submit the request in writing.

“You get a question that people don’t want to answer, and the response is, ‘Stick it in writing.’ You stick it in writing, and it dies,” he said.

Garvey, the JIA’s marketing chief, said the authority has “no record of receiving this question in a letter or in e-mail.” He added that “we reject the charge that the JIA is not responsive to the public, and we are prepared to demonstrate our responsiveness with copies of our log, copies of correspondence, etc.”

The Egans have set up a Web site —- savejekyllisland.org —- and have become lightning rods in the debate over Jekyll’s future. They joined forces with McDonald in Athens and also found an ally in Atlantan Dory Ingram, a frequent Jekyll visitor who worries about the barrier island.

“Mindy and David have been completely dedicated to seeing that the visitors to Jekyll Island and the people of Georgia get their say” about development on the island, Ingram said. “This year, we’ve become a pretty prominent voice. It’s obvious that somebody out there is listening and is aware that the people are trying to make their voice heard.”

Babs McDonald, meanwhile, believes the Georgia Open Records Act is a vital tool. It was passed “so that government can be accountable, even when it doesn’t really want to be accountable,” she said.

“I guess I wish that the people of the state would demand, because it is their state park, that the JIA open up its records,” McDonald said. “If they can’t, I think we ought to say, ‘Uh-uh, you can’t do this kind of project and not be accountable for the numbers.’ “

Tags: atlanta journal constitution, Georgia Open Records Act, jekyll island redevelopment, jekyll island revitalization
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1. 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.

   

2. 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.

   

3. 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.

   

4. 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.

   

5. 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.

   

6. 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.

   

7. 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.

Tags: jekyll island development, jekyll island revitalization, just the fact about jekyll island
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Guest 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

Tags: jekyll island development, jekyll island revitalization, Jekyll Island visitation
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For generations, Atlantans have been vacationing at Sea Island, enjoying the golfing, spa facilities, dining and other attractions of the Georgia coast resort. At the November 26 meeting of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, BILL JONES III, chairman and CEO of Sea Island Co., discussed “the modern era” at Sea Island.That began, he said, with the development of Ocean Forest Golf Course in the early 1990s on the northern tip of Sea Island. “Because it was such a special piece of property, we decided that we should build the finest golf course we could build, the finest club house that we could build, with the finest club experience that we could put together. By all accounts, we were able to do that.” Membership was full six months before opening. It hosted a prestigious United States Golf Association event in 2006, the Walker Cup matches.

After the opening of Ocean Forest, all other golf on Sea Island paled in comparison. The Sea Island Co. recognized this, and recognized that competition was becoming keen in the resort business. The mid-1980s saw the advent of the Ritz Carlton Co., Four Seasons and boutique hotels, “all of a sudden we found ourselves where there was a fine hotel on every nice beach in the world,” Jones recalled. So the company created a new vision to be the finest resort in the world. Aspiring to that vision has helped Sea Island become what it is today.

Everything today at the Sea Island resort is either brand new or completely refurbished. “I’m really looking forward to getting back to the hospitality business and the resort real estate business, because I feel like I’ve been in the construction business for years,” Jones said.

Jones described the founding of the resort in October 1928 with the construction of The Cloister hotel by Jones‚ grandfather and his cousin. It is now recognized as one of the top resorts in the United States. Jones’ grandfather and cousin had grand plans despite the fact that, one state report described the area as “swampy, mosquito-ridden and of little economic value.” They first built a temporary inn. They had one good year before the Depression struck. But the hotel and resort grew and prospered. The company also began to focus on its real estate business, beginning to develop residential communities such as Frederica. Located on the north end of St. Simons Island, the 3,000-acre community limited to 400-500 singlefamily homes. About a third of the home inventory has been sold, Jones said.

“I’m really pleased with where we are both with our real estate business and our resort business,” Jones said. Where does the company go from here? There are a lot of opportunities for the two brands, The Cloister and Sea Island. Strategic planning is underway. Jones recognized a guest in attendance, Jimmy Blanchard of Synovus Financial Corp., which is Sea Island Co.’s lead banker.

“I’m bullish on our business, I’m excited about what’s going on down on the coast,” Jones said. During Q&A, Jones was complimented on the Sea Island Co.’s stewardship of natural resources. “We feel we have a keen responsibility,” Jones said. Jones was asked about the ongoing efforts to redevelop nearby Jekyll Island. “Certainly what goes on at Jekyll impacts the entire coast and the state of Georgia,” he said. Linger Longer Communities, led by Chairman Mercer Reynolds, in September was selected by the board of the Jekyll Island Authority to partner on a long-term revitalization of the island. “I’m really pleased to see the state take the initiative they’re taking. Jekyll needs redevelopment. I’m a big fan of Linger Longer and Mercer Reynolds and his people. I think they do a terrific job and that it is a well thought-out plan.”

Controversy over the redevelopment plan has arisen lately. But Jones noted that 65 percent of Jekyll Island is preserved for perpetuity. “The legislature told the Jekyll Island Authority ‘you’re on your own, you’ve got to figure out Jekyll. We’re not putting any money in Jekyll.’ The Authority came back with a plan, then the legislature stood up and hollered ‘you’re going to destroy Jekyll.’ Well, either the legislature needs to fund Jekyll or let redevelopment occur. I think redevelopment is the right way to go.”

From the Rotary Newsletter 11-26-07

Tags: Bill Jones Sea Island Company, jekyll island, jekyll island development, jekyll island revitalization
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By Dick Yarbrough

3/11/08) Depending on who you talk to, Jekyll Island is about to be taken over by greedy real estate developers and turned into a fancy vacation resort with prices out of reach to ordinary Georgians, or it is a seedy, financially-strapped rundown shell of its former self.

There is no question that Jekyll Island needs a facelift. Major convention groups, including the prestigious Georgia Press Association and the Georgia Association of Broadcasters among others, left Jekyll Island a number of years ago because of poor accommodations and inadequate meeting facilities. They are not coming back until things improve.

To that point, the Jekyll Island Authority solicited bids for revitalizing the island — much to the consternation of some of the locals — and in September awarded the business to Linger Longer Communities, which lists among its developments Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee, in Greensboro. As mandated by state law, only 35 percent of the island is available for development.

Jim Langford is project director for the $350 million Jekyll project and even his opponents concede that he is not your typical developer type. Langford headed the Georgia Trust for Public Land before signing on with Linger Longer. “Some people even called me a tree-hugger,” he jokes. But he turns serious on Jekyll’s 63-acre proposed development. “We are trying to do something good for the people of Georgia,” he says.

Langford says the redevelopment plan covers less than 1 percent of Jekyll’s total acreage and less than 8 percent of Jekyll’s nine miles of beaches includes a new convention center, new hotels and rental cottages and will be a model for environmental design and construction. The developer says the plan gives visitors and Georgia families a wide range of affordable accommodation choices. Opponents say Linger Longer is being overly creative in their use of numbers and are working overtime to kill the project, but with little success. State Sen. Jeff Chapman (R-Brunswick) had three bills opposing Linger Longer’s plans recently rejected in committee hearings in the Legislature.

Langford has had a number of meetings with citizens to get their input and concedes that some changes could be in the works before a revised plan is presented to the JIA in late March. The Linger Longer proposal anticipates hotels up and running in just three years and the new convention center operational in 2013.

“No way that is going to happen,” declares Ed Boshears, a former state legislator and a member of the Jekyll Island Authority. Boshears is one of the vocal opponents of the project. He says that in order to begin the project, the developer must first get a permit under the Shore Protection Act, a complicated piece of legislation that requires approval of any construction taking place near the beaches. The permit process starts with a review of the permit by a citizen review committee, then a vote within the State Department of Natural Resources, and if either side loses, the appeal process goes to an administrative law judge and can be appealed to the Superior Court, Court of Appeals and all the way to the Georgia Supreme Court. Boshears cites a small marina in Camden County that has spent the last three years in the appeal process. A project as complex as the Linger Longer development could be tied up in the courts for years, he predicts.

To try and kill the development is, in my opinion, a futile and misguided effort. Opponents would be better served to work with Linger Longer Communities and affect changes that both sides can live with. Jekyll Island badly needs revitalizing. Stopping the redevelopment of the island is not the answer.

What would be most helpful would be for sides to remember that Jekyll Island belongs not to the locals or to developers or to the Jekyll Island Authority. It belongs to all of us. It is a self-sustaining facility and an extraordinary and under-appreciated resource in Georgia.

No matter where you live in the state, you need to be tuned into what is happening on Jekyll Island. Somewhere between run-down motels and a $350 million development sits the future of one of Georgia’s crown jewels.

Tags: Dick Yarborough, Jekyll Island Authority Chairman Ben Portere, jekyll island development, jekyll island revitalization
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Jekyll Island State Park Authority marketing Annual Report 2007

Jekyll Island State Park Authority marketing Annual Report 2006

Jekyll Island State Park Authority marketing Annual Report 2005

Jekyll Island State Park Authority marketing Annual Report 2004

Jekyll Island State Park Authority FY07 year-end Balance Sheet

Jekyll Island State Park Authority FY06 year-end Balance Sheet

Jekyll Island State Park Authority FY05 year-end Balance Sheet

Jekyll Island State Park Authority FY04 year-end Balance Sheet

Jekyll Island State Park Authority Department of Audits Management Report FY07

Jekyll Island State Park Authority Department of Audits Management Report FY06

Jekyll Island State Park Authority Department of Audits Management Report FY05

Jekyll Island State Park Authority Department of Audits Management Report FY04

Tags: jekyll island, jekyll island development, jekyll island facts, jekyll island revitalization
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Strong fiscal management, open government, and reinvestment in Jekyll island are 3 areas of accomplishment that I am most proud of during the last 10 years. To suggest anything else is not only untrue but an insult to me and the hard working team of professionals at the Jekyll Island Authority.

Bill Donohue
Executive Director, LLIDA
1707B Enterprise Drive
Buford, GA 30518
770-932-6608
bdonohue@llida.ga.gov

Tags: jekyll island, jekyll island development, jekyll island facts, jekyll island revitalization
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By John Hunter, Director of the Jekyll Island Museum

The question of Jekyll Island and its future is not new to the General Assembly or the citizens of Georgia. From the day it was purchased from the Jekyll Island Club in 1947, it has been a source of controversy. This place of beauty and history draws people. It creates memories and “firsts” that last generations. It is a place that is and should always be enjoyed by all. In 1950, the State of Georgia realized that for Jekyll Island to reach its full potential as a resort destination, it should be broken free from the State Parks system and direct control by the General Assembly, and be charged with a new course. This course would be codified and legislated, and would be a unique new partnership between state government and the private sector. Pre-dating the current buzz word “public/private partnership” by almost 50 years, this experiment would create the Jekyll Island State Park Authority - a state agency given the tools of the private sector to create and operate business, attract private investment, and develop a resort that provided beach access to all. A Master Plan for developing the island was completed in 1951. Using a combination of legislative appropriations, revenue bonds, and private investment a modern resort destination was created that featured golf courses, motels, residential areas, and recreational amenities while providing for care of the island’s rich natural and historic resources. This was done with the goals of maintaining 65% of the island in its natural state, make it as affordable and available as possible to all, and with the business model and mandated goal of being self-sufficient.

The bulk of development on Jekyll was completed by 1974. By the late 1970s, Jekyll had begun to suffer during a period of national economic stagnation. Downturns in tourism and the economy challenged Jekyll’s ability to remain self sufficient. As facilities aged and tourism trends shifted, and little changed on the island, a cycle of boom and bust was fostered between 1979 - 2007. When changes were planned, many were met with resistance - the Sea World type attraction in 1974, a new marina with condos in the early 1980s, the Great Dunes golf course expansion in 1994; and some were embraced - the rehabilitation of the Jekyll Island Club in 1985, continued improvement in the Historic District, the creation of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. All of these ideas were the result of trying to improve the economics of the island, knowing there are continued pressures on revenues when you are operating a resort designed and built in the 1950s but are tying to capture today’s travel markets and compete with other destinations. At all of these moments of debate, the general solution has been to fix what we have - to “update it” with fresh coat of paint, a new owner, or a renewed marketing push. At best, we would add a new attraction like Summer Waves and hope it would bring enough to the bottom line that we could improve another area. This “boom” of investment would go “bust” a few years later when people who returned to a “new” hotel found the same “old” hotel, and while they loved the island they would choose not to come back. That is not to say Jekyll Island does not have a loyal following, it does - for those who appreciate what it is and those who dream about what it could be. But many times that loyalty is based upon a visit long ago, or a memory created and shared and does not result in economic stability through frequent visitation or investment. Some of those loyalist stick it out because of that love, and keep their convention on the island for 40 years - until even they can’t justify the return to an island that just can’t meet their needs. The new visitors become harder to keep as well because while they are attracted to the island, their desire for modern accommodations and amenities drives them to other destinations. The end result of this cycle is long term stagnation. While revenues may grow, they can’t keep up with the aging facilities and their needs. You keep up to degree, but there is never enough funding for true investment that can make a lasting economic impact. Operationally, the island suffers because they get behind on technology, or new efficient methods, and business suffers because you can not compete.

So how is it solved? That is the $500 million dollar question. While money is not always the answer, in this case money is the question. Jekyll Island has a choice, create a new model for the island or continue on a well worn path. If you chose the new model who will fund it? In today’s world would the State of Georgia be able to invest $500 million in the long term sustainability of the Island? Where would the money come from? Cuts to education or transportation? A new tax from somewhere? The State of Georgia gave us that answer in 2007 - find the investment in the private sector. So today we move forward with revitalizing the island because it is what we must do. We must find new investment. We must compete. We must change. If we do not do these things, we will never see the what we all want for the Island - a thriving interactive historic district with well maintained buildings, picnic areas and public areas that are safe and free, be an eco-friendly sustainable destination, have the ability to add new amenities that meet the needs and interests of our visitors, or create educational programs and opportunities that highlight our nature and history. Worst of all, we might not be able to protect the island from future development when some decides that “enough is enough” with the question of Jekyll Island.

Tags: jekyll island, jekyll island development, jekyll island history, jekyll island museum, jekyll island revitalization
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Tue, Feb 26, 2008 By ANNA FERGUSON , The Brunswick News

      Jim Langford remains calm in the face of adversity.

      Despite a row of hurdles tossed his way in recent weeks, he has yet to break a sweat.

      As project manager for the revitalization Linger Longer Communities is proposing for Jekyll Island, Langford has met with supporters and opponents, backers and detractors.

      The $341 million plan calls for new hotels, convention center and condominiums.
Opposition is not unexpected. And it’s not as bad as it sounds, he said.

      ”We expected to have opposition to our plan,” Langford said. “But everything is still very much on track. We’re not deterred in the least.”

       Resistance to the plan as outlined by the Jekyll Island Authority and Linger Longer, its private sector partner, extends all the way to the Georgia General Assembly, where bills introduced in the House and Senate threaten to stop or alter the project in a major way.

       The most recent legislation was introduced Thursday in the Georgia General Assembly by Democrats, who are calling for greater preservation efforts to be utilized in the redevelopment plan for the island. Introduced by Rep. Debbie Buckner, D-Columbus, House Bill 1289 calls for revitalization of the island to be energy efficient, affordable and away from Jekyll’s sand dunes.

       The Democratic bill comes several weeks after Sen. Jeff Chapman, R-Brunswick, announced a few measures of his own. Chapman, a long-time opponent to Linger Longer’s $341 million revamping blueprint, introduced bills earlier this month that would essentially put an end to the project.

      Despite the newly launched measures, the Linger Longer agenda is moving forward with overwhelming support from local government, the business community and the Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee, Langford said.

       “We still feel that we are being supported,” he said. “These new bills are pretty unreasonable and we think that is pretty obvious.”

       Ed Boshears, former state senator and a member of the board of the Jekyll Island Authority, doesn’t understand why debate over the new legislative measures is necessary. Linger Longer’s plans are not set in stone and are in the process of being reworked, he said.

       In other words, it’s too soon to take sides, he said.

         “I don’t see what everyone is so worked up about,” Boshears said. “The Linger Longer plan has yet to be finalized. We don’t know what the exact plan will be yet.

        Everyone is looking at this as if it’s either-or. Either you are for Linger Longer or against it. But you can be for Linger Longer without being for every aspect of their plan.”

Tags: Jeff Chapman, jekyll island, jekyll island revitalization, linger longer
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     This post is in response to Al Hurt’s editorial in the Atlanta Journal Constitution 02/05/2008.

     By Eric Garvey, Senior Director of Marketing & Business Development Jekyll Island State Park Authority

     Jekyll Island, Ga. — The Jekyll Island State Park Authority is not accustomed to making headlines or stirring up controversy. Most of our work here involves things like protecting sea turtle nests, preserving historic sites, serving conventioneers, taking care of day visitors and vacation guests; and maintaining some of the country’s most natural and pristine beaches.

     But since last fall, when the Authority chose a private revitalization partner to assist us in redeveloping the central area of the island, a small number of vocal critics have raised questions and, frankly, have spread misinformation about the Authority’s efforts and its mission.

     The General Assembly created the Authority in 1950 to manage Jekyll Island, a state-owned coastal treasure to be enjoyed by all Georgians. Each day we work hard to be trustworthy stewards, conserving and preserving the island’s vast natural and cultural resources through the use of revenues generated by providing services, programs and amenities that maximize benefits to everyone on the island.

     To accomplish our mission, we must attract visitors to Jekyll Island each year, and generate enough revenue to keep state taxpayers from paying the substantial cost of running the island.

     Faced with lagging attendance and declining revenue, the Authority launched an effort to revitalize its aging hotels, shops and convention center. Because the majority of the structures were built in the 1960s, it was clear that the change was going to involve a great amount of redevelopment. The Authority is not a real estate developer, and it made good sense to find a high-quality private partner to help us.

     In September 2007, the Authority concluded a public Request For Proposal by selecting Georgia-based Linger Longer Communities as our revitalization partner. In its proposal, Linger Longer presented a Beach Village concept that would create a wonderful new destination on the island.

      There have been understandable questions about the revitalization, but there are a number of key facts that the public should know:

      The Beach Village proposal is a concept plan. This is not a final plan, and public input is being used to change and enhance it. The Authority, working with Linger Longer, will take as much time as needed to ensure we have a plan that limits impact on the natural environment, returns reasonable revenue to the Authority, and best serves the people of Georgia.

      The Beach Village concept plan is contained for the most part to previously developed areas, where the aging convention center and strip shopping center sit. It covers less than 2% of the island and our final plan will improve both the view and access to this beach area.

      There are no plans to build on the beach. All construction will be behind the natural sand dunes, and will comply with Georgia’s Shoreline Protection laws.

      The Beach Village will be a model for an environmentally-sensitive development, using LEED and EarthCraft standards for all new construction. Jekyll Island will be the first coastal area to do this.

      The Authority has repeatedly committed that Jekyll Island, including the new Beach Village, will remain affordable and accessible to all Georgians.

      The Beach Village plan was recently discussed in a series of public meetings throughout Georgia. Linger Longer and Authority representatives have been touring the state talking with civic groups and environmental organizations, as well as many Jekyll Island and Georgia residents in their homes.

      The Authority’s Board of Directors and the Jekyll Legislative Oversight Committee have also held public sessions, the most recent on Jan.15th at the State Capitol. The bulk of these meetings have been dedicated to hearing public feedback.

      And as a state entity, the Authority holds monthly public meetings, always reserving time on its agenda for public comment.

      Our critics, though vocal, are a minority. Many people across the state, from business leaders to island residents to regular guests, support the plan to enhance the offerings on Jekyll Island.

      While recently in Brunswick, Gov. Sonny Perdue gave strong words of support for Jekyll Island’s revitalization. The Legislative Oversight Committee, including its leaders, Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams and House Majority Leader Jerry Keen also have commended the progress-to-date.

      The Glynn County Commission has publicly endorsed the plans, as has the Brunswick/Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. The Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia voted to support Jekyll Island revitalization, and meeting planners from around the state have committed more than $25 million in new business if the plans progress.

      Over the past fifteen years, Georgians have voted with their wallets — by not coming to Jekyll Island as they used to, and instead spending their beach vacations in other states. That silent, but powerful vote demonstrates a need for change.

      Based on public input that we continue to receive, the Authority with Linger Longer is making revisions to its plans, and we expect to release a revised version this spring. The revised concept will again welcome an additional round of public comment and review.

      In addition, we will continue each day to welcome all Georgians and their guests to Jekyll Island, care for sea turtles and restore our historic sites. And to help provide on-going facts, we will post updated information, here at the web address www.jekyllislandfacts.com.

Tags: atlanta journal constitution, jekyll island, jekyll island public comment, jekyll island redevelopment, jekyll island revitalization, linger longer
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