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.

Tags: Hampton Inn on Jekyll Island, jekyll island, jekyll island authority, jekyll island board, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island revitalization, Jekyll Island vacations, vacations on Jekyll Island
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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.

Tags: jekyll island authority, jekyll island beach, jekyll island board, Jekyll Island Foundation, jekyll island golf, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island revitalization
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On Tuesday, December 16^th, the Jekyll Island Authority presented a comprehensive update regarding the revitalization of Jekyll Island to members of the Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee. The meeting was held at the State Capitol in Atlanta, and lasted approximately 2 hours. The full presentation document is available online at www.jekyllisland.com/news.

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

Tags: jekyll island, Jekyll Island Legislation, Jekyll Island Oversight Committee, jekyll island revitalization
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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.

Tags: jekyll island activities, jekyll island authority, jekyll island authority board, jekyll island boat ramp, jekyll island boating, jekyll island fishing, jekyll island revitalization
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Guest Editorial by Rep. Jerry Keen, Sen. Eric Johnson, Sen. Tommie Williams and Rep. Roger Lane

The State of Georgia is blessed with abundant natural beauty, and for many of us the barrier islands of our beloved coast are truly special. Jekyll Island is no exception, this state-owned jewel provides affordable access and opportunity to experience the best our coast has to offer. Unfortunately, Georgians have slowly stopped taking vacations and bringing conventions to Jekyll Island as many of the commercial facilities have aged and become outdated. Visitation has dropped 23% from its peak in 1989. A few years ago, it became clear that something needed to be done to reverse the downward trend. A new course was set for the comprehensive revitalization of Jekyll Island. The goal is to replace the aging facilities with new, but do it in a way that protects the natural beauty, embraces affordability and establishes financial sustainability so that the island’s public amenities can be improved and enhanced for the enjoyment of all Georgians.

Governor Perdue made the revitalization of Jekyll Island a priority in 2006, and the leadership of both the House and Senate pledged support. The Jekyll Legislative Oversight Committee was established to provide on-going oversight of the revitalization process and the island’s management. In addition, two legislative-appointed advisory positions were established on the Jekyll Island Authority to create active engagement. Together with the Authority, legislative colleagues from around the state have worked together to move revitalization forward in a way that is in the best interest of the citizens of Georgia.

In politics, it is easier to be against something than to be for something. To support an issue requires hard work to gain deep understanding of all sides of the issue, and a willingness to work for the compromise that is so often required. It takes political courage to withstand the barrage of complaints and criticism that opponents throw at you.

 The revitalization of Jekyll Island has taken some great steps forward with the approval of the final Beach Village plan and the private partner agreement with Linger Longer Communities. Several other hotel projects have also been approved, and over $380 million in private investment is now committed. In addition, the Jekyll Island Authority has adopted policy that will limit building height, density and further protect the beach and natural areas.

Through oversight and appropriate legislation, Jekyll Island will remain a special place with 65% of the island remaining in a natural state. The developed portions will feature enhanced public areas including a new, large “signature” beachside park that will provide beach access to all Georgians, whether visiting for the day or taking a family vacation. A newly renovated and expanded convention center will allow us to capture conventions – many held by Georgia-based associations – that currently meet outside the state. And the compromises made by the development partners will keep Jekyll Island an affordable vacation spot for future generations of Georgia families. Jekyll Island will be a model for restrained and responsible coastal development, and a model for teamwork among elected officials, state government and the private sector.

The Jekyll Island Authority and all those involved deserve to be congratulated for the progress to date. We are proud to serve in both oversight and advisory roles and participate in this exciting progress. However, there is still much more work to be done. We pledge to continue to provide diligent oversight and consent as warranted. We will honor the public trust, and work for the good of all Georgians in seeing that Jekyll Island revitalization continues and ultimately fulfills its promise.

Tags: jekyll island, jekyll island revitalization
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By ANNA FERGUSON
Reprinted from the The Brunswick News

The Jekyll Island Authority made a giant step toward revitalization of the state-owed island Tuesday when the board approved a new ground lease with 150 Beachview Holdings to redevelop the former Georgia Coast Inn hotel site.

The development of the 5.8-acre beachside site, which had been sitting vacant for several years, adds a great push toward the planned revitalization of Jekyll, said Jones Hooks, authority executive director.

Approved by the authority board at a special conference call meeting, the hotel is projected to bring in more than $7 million for the island over a 15-year period and is “a good, big step for us,” Hooks said.

With unanimous approval of the lease comes a heavy forward momentum to the island. Along with the Georgia Coast Inn site, several other projects are schedule to get under way soon to move further on the authority’s revitalization goals, Hooks said.

Totalling some $350 million in revitalization efforts over the next few years, the projects include five new hotels, Linger Longer Communities’ planned Jekyll Island Beach Village and expansion and remodeling of the current convention center.

The new Inn and Cottage at Georgia Coast, as the Georgia Coast Inn site is expected to be called, will compliment these neighboring projects and help move toward the overall goal of restoring Jekyll Island its glory days, Hooks said.

Gary Mongeon, vice president of the Bleakly Advisory Group and a financial adviser for the island’s redevelopment mission, said the site will help the island build momentum in the progress of the revitalization efforts.

Each acre of the 5.8-acre site is projected to bring in about $1.2 million, which Mongeon said is the highest return rate of any Jekyll project.

“This is a pretty significant financial investment to the authority,” Mongeon said. “Based on the analysis, dollar for dollar spending, this project will have a $13 million to $15 million impact on the Jekyll Island Authority when visitation spending is taken into account.” In a time when the economy has turned south and construction projects have all but halted throughout the region, the agreement is a sign of the health and vitality of the island, both now and into the future, Hooks said. “This project is big news in a bad economy,” Hooks said. “Development activity has all but stopped in the region, but here on Jekyll Island we have five new projects moving forward.”

Constructed in 1961, what was a Ramada Inn has changed names and owners during the decades and was closed in 2003 after being run under the independent name of Georgia Coast Inn. In 2005, the four-story structure fell into disrepair and was demolished.

Being built in the footprints of the former hotel, the new project will feature low-rise construction with traditional beach cottage architecture, designed by the St. Simons Island firm Harrison Design Associates.

Scheduled to open in April 2011, the renovation project will combine the small inn with about 30 beachfront cottages in an attempt to keep the development low in density and confined to a minimal space to reduce the environmental impact. This low density approach was key in obtaining approval for the lease, Hooks said.

“This is so in keeping with the spirit of Jekyll,” Hooks said. “It is a very exciting move for the authority and the island.”

Tags: , Georgia Coast Inn, jekyll island development, jekyll island revitalization, master plan amendment, New South Partners, The Inn & Cottages at Georgia Coast
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New inn & cottage colony to be built on the site of the former Ramada Inn

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eric Garvey, Senior Director of Marketing
Jekyll Island Authority
(912) 635-4081
egarvey@jekyllisland.com

JEKYLL ISLAND, GA - November 25 – The Jekyll Island Authority today approved a new ground lease with 150 Beachview Holdings LLC, clearing the way for an exciting new redevelopment of the former Ramada Inn/Georgia Coast Inn hotel site. The 5.8 acre beachside site has been vacant for several years, and the new project adds to the progress and momentum of the revitalization of Jekyll Island.

 

The new project will be a combination of a small Inn and a colony of 27-32 beachside cottages. The low density approach is a key factor in gaining support and approval.

 

“The Board is pleased that the leaseholder came forward with such an attractive plan for the site,” stated Bob Krueger, Chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority. “We are looking for the right balance of development and protection of natural areas, and this project fits well with the other revitalization projects that have already been announced.”

 

 

New South Partners, LLC and Global Asset Alternatives, LLC are partners in 150 Beachview Holdings and have secured the ground lease to the former hotel site after years of legal disputes. In order for the new development to move forward, an extension of the existing lease was required. That was obtained through the Jekyll Island Authority Board action on Tuesday.

 

 

“I’m thrilled to get this project moving forward,” stated Rick Patton, principal with New South Partners, LLC. “We are a Georgia company, and we know that Jekyll is a special place and this is a special site. It is deserving of a quality development that fits responsibly into the natural beachside setting.”

 

The former Ramada Inn was first constructed in 1961 and opened as a Holiday Inn. The property sold in 1963 and became Stuckey’s Carriage Inn, later becoming a Ramada Inn, then independent Georgia Coast Inn until closing in 2003. The hotel was popular with conventioneers and was known for its swimming pool shaped like the State of Georgia. The four-story structure fell into disrepair and was demolished in 2005.

 

The new project will feature low-rise construction with traditional beach cottage architecture. The local St. Simons office of Harrison Design Associates will handle the cottage designs as well as the Inn’s exterior architecture.

 

The revitalization of Jekyll Island now boasts five new hotel projects, including the planned Jekyll Island Beach Village, which will create a new gathering place on the island with integrated shopping, dining, plaza, park and a completely renovated and expanded Convention Center. Revitalization is being guided by several important policies that are meant to protect the character of Jekyll Island, as well as protect the natural environment and enhance conservation efforts. The new Inn & Cottages at Georgia Coast will comply with newly adopted design guidelines which provide regulation of architecture and restrict both density and building height. Projects are also monitored by a new visitation forecast model developed by Bleakly Advisory Group.

 

“This project fits nicely in the current forecast model,” explained Gary Mongeon with Bleakly Advisory Group. “It is lower density compared to other projects, yet provides the highest per acre return to the Jekyll Island Authority.”

 

The Jekyll Island Authority provides a limited number of commercial ground leases for private hotel development. Ground leases are tied to the appraised value of the land as required by law. The Jekyll Island Authority uses local appraiser Richard Freeman to determine the value range of each leased parcel.

 

A key component of a ground lease for new development is a rent escalation feature. Rent on a ground lease begins immediately, but escalates over the course of construction through opening and to the point of full operation.

 

“The rent escalation feature allows the developer to successfully get underway, and allows the Jekyll Island Authority to fully share in the future success,” stated Jones Hooks, Executive Director with the Jekyll Island Authority. “We also place constraints and requirements on the developer, so we can maintain control and not let development become bigger than what the public wants on Jekyll.”

 

The Jekyll Island Authority requires all development be sensitive to the natural environment, even if it is replacing an existing structure in approximately the same building footprint. The new Inn & Cottages project will stay away from the dunes line and beyond the shoreline jurisdiction line as defined by Georgia’s Shoreline Protection Act. All new projects must also comply with a new beach lighting ordinance, created with public and expert input to protect the beach from light pollution. Artificial light has been shown to disrupt the nesting and hatching behavior of the loggerhead sea turtle.

 

“This project is big news in a bad economy,” stated Hooks. “Development activity has all but stopped in the region, but here on Jekyll Island we have five projects moving forward.”

 

Jekyll Island currently has seven hotels open and operating, including the signature Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Other hotels along the beach include the boutique Beachview Club Hotel, the Days Inn & Suites, Oceanside Inn & Suites, Quality Inn, Oceanfront Clarion Resort and the Villas By The Sea. Privately owned cottages are also available for vacation rental, more information is available at jekyllisland.com. Information regarding all Jekyll Island revitalization projects and policies can be found at jekyllisland.com/news.

Tags: , Georgia Coast Inn, jekyll island development, jekyll island revitalization, master plan amendment, New South Partners, real estate glynn county, real estate jekyll island, The Inn & Cottages at Georgia Coast
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The Jekyll Island Authority Board reviewed revised plans from Greensboro-based Linger Longer Communities for a beach village (download the presentation) that will be a part of the island’s overall revitalization effort. More…

The 2008 Master Plan Amendment can be downloaded here.

For information on all of Jekyll Island’s revitalization projects, read the Revitalization Fact Sheet

Tags: jekyll island development, jekyll island revitalization, linger longer communities, master plan amendment
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From the desk of C. Jones Hooks

Executive Director
Jekyll Island - State Park Authority

It is a pleasure for me to share the latest information from the Jekyll Island Authority with you, our vested homeowners and visitors.

JEKYLL ISLAND VISITATION ANALYSIS:
The Jekyll Island Visitation Analysis shared at the Sept. 15 board meeting and produced by an independent research firm, Bleakly and Associates, should be extremely helpful as we continue to lay the ground work for our Island’s future success. The report shows that island visitation peaked in the 1988-1989 time period, when we saw approximately 2.1 million guests visit Jekyll Island. Unfortunately since that time, we have seen a steady decline in visitation. Last year only 1.49 million visitors came to Jekyll Island. In order to accomplish our mission of trustworthy stewardship and generation of revenues, the analysis shows that we will need to increase tourism and visitation. Because Jekyll Island is a self-funded entity, the analysis provides a wake-up call to the importance for the Jekyll Island Authority to increase visitation so that the costs to care for the island are manageable. As you’re aware in the Jekyll Island Club Historic Landmark District alone, we have over $30 million in preservation needs. The good news is that by increasing visitation by only 21% over 1988-1989 levels, the island can finance operations and improve our public facilities. Jekyll Island will then remain an affordable and attractive place for all Georgians to enjoy. Further, the forecasting model supports how visitation can increase with limited, low-density redevelopment of existing sites that affect only 6% of the island. This supports our approach of balance between redevelopment and conservation/preservation activities. It was also interesting that the Bleakly report found revenue increases to the Jekyll Island Authority via public/private partner lease agreements are key to funding the needed infrastructure, as well as improvements to public amenities like golf courses, beach management and more.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER:

• Annual visitation to the island has been declining at a 2.6% annual rate since 2002 and is down roughly 23% since 1988-1989.
• When adjusted for inflation, JIA revenues have declined at a 2.3% annual rate since 2002
• Visitation can increase with limited, low density redevelopment and development.
• Total development needed to support visitation and JIA income projections over the next 15 years represents a net addition of roughly 1000 lodging units, 400 dwelling units, and 25,000 commercial square feet over levels that existed 20 years ago.
• Jekyll Island has approximately 4226 acres and by law, 65% must remain undeveloped.
• Of the remaining 35%, only 256 acres or 6% of the Island is directly impacted. Most of this small area is already development with existing hotels and the convention center.

Bleakly and Associates’ work is comprehensive. A public in-depth presentation will be offered Sept. 29 at 2:00 p.m. at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Anyone interested is encouraged to attend!

JEKYLL ISLAND DESIGN GUIDELINES: Another important policy initiative related to Jekyll Island Revitalization is the Jekyll Island Design Guidelines. While already put into practical use, the Design Guidelines dictate the architectural design, height, scale and density of all new construction. The Design Guidelines were developed with the Jekyll Island Authority by Cooper Carry, a leader in the field of connective architecture. Since the “First Reading”, we have received lots of input and public comments. The Jekyll Island Authority Board will consider adoption of the Design Guidelines at its October 20th meeting.

OTHER NEWS: Construction continues on our first new hotel construction, the Hampton Inn & Suites. With plans progressing and construction underway on this and other properties, we are already seeing an immediate return of conventions interested in bringing their groups back to Jekyll Island! We are pleased to announce that Jekyll Island has been selected as the host for a 2009 meeting of the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, as well as the Georgia Press Association 2009 annual conference. We appreciate your interest in Jekyll Island, and encourage you to stay in touch. I value your continued insight and feedback, please check out our website www.jekyllisland.com for up-to-date information.

Kind Regards,
Jones Hooks
Executive Director, Jekyll Island - State Park Authority

Tags: georgia coast, jekyll island, jekyll island authority, jekyll island revitalization, Jekyll Island visitation
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Jekyll Island, Ga. (September 15, 2008) - As revitalization of Jekyll Island progresses, an independent visitation analysis was presented to the Jekyll Island Authority board by consultant Ken Bleakly at its regular meeting on Monday. The purpose of the study is to provide the Jekyll Island Authority with a better understanding of the cumulative effects of future revitalization on the island’s infrastructure and environmental resources. In addition, the study offers a forecasting tool that gives clear estimates of how revitalization projects will benefit visitation and revenues.

The Bleakly Advisory Group project team, which includes engineering firm Thomas & Hutton and land planner Cooper Carry, utilized a number of factors to determine historic visitation of Jekyll Island, including wastewater treatment volume, traffic counts, parking fee revenue, golf rounds, and hotel room nights. The study shows a slow but steady decline in visitation to the island since the early 1990s.

“Ken Bleakly and his team have presented us with a thorough and objective modeling analysis that will guide us as we move forward with revitalization,” said Jones Hooks, executive director of the Jekyll Island Authority. “It is obvious that fewer Georgians are visiting Jekyll Island, but the good news is that we can bring them back through a strategic revitalization plan that doesn’t require major infrastructure changes.”

The study also provides a number of forecasts based on varying redevelopment density scenarios as defined by Cooper Carry and carried forward from the Jekyll Island Master Plan. The initial projection shows that financial sustainability can be achieved under a low-to-medium density scenario.

Other key findings from the study:

• Visitation peaked at an estimated 2.1 million visitors in 1989-1990 and totaled approximately 1.49 million visitors in fiscal year 2008.
• Jekyll Island can be financially sustained by reaching approximately 2.65 million annual visitors. According to the study, achieving this level of visitation will:
• Support operating costs and correct deferred maintenance;
• Pay for needed long-range capital improvements and enhanced visitor amenities;
• Increase visitation by approximately 21 percent (by 2023) over historical peak visitation during 1989-90;

• Homeownership on Jekyll Island is primarily characterized as an investment property or second home, with 67 percent of owners from 35 states other than Georgia and Canada. Home rental accounts for 9 percent of lodging revenue for the island.
• Future development only affects 6 percent of the island, and all development is within the 35 percent of the island that is developable as outlined by state law.

In addition to the visitation analysis, the Jekyll Island Authority board has initiated several other policy measures to protect the island’s habitats, resources and character as revitalization continues. An ordinance passed this summer defined appropriate beachfront lighting practices to protect the island’s endangered sea turtle habitat from light pollution. The Authority expects to adopt new design guidelines articulating standards for all building and landscaping in order to maintain Jekyll Island’s unique character. The design guidelines include height restrictions that limit building height to what currently exists in the Jekyll Island Historic District. New conservation guidelines to protect Jekyll Island’s natural resources are currently under final legal review and should be adopted soon. A rebranding effort is also underway that will reflect a revitalized Jekyll island and encourage more Georgians to visit.

“People love Jekyll Island because it is a sanctuary and a retreat with the right balance of nature and amenities,” said Eric Garvey, the Authority’s senior director of marketing. “Revitalization will enhance that, and therefore we want to focus our message on this key feature. Our goal is simple: to bring more Georgians to Jekyll.”

A public presentation of the visitation analysis will be held Monday, September 29 at 2 p.m. at the Jekyll Island Convention Center.

Tags: georgia coast, jekyll island, jekyll island development, jekyll island revitalization, Jekyll Island visitation
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