I’ve spent a lot of time pointing out what I obviously feel is a land grab by Linger Longer Communities in regards to Jekyll Island State Park, the publicly-owned barrier island in Georgia. The pro-development crowd has been using language such as “tarnished jewel” and “run-down” in their quest to get their hands on it. They’ve cited inaccurate and inflated visitation numbers to support their argument. And in my opinion, they haven’t been publicly honest about their true intentions for long-term development.
But for this post I’d like to talk about real revitalization. Of course the JIA and LLC talk about the need for redevelopment. But Jekyll Island is a state park, not a resort. The JIA needs enough money to SUSTAIN the island. It was never intended to be a profit center for the state, much to the chagrin of developers and politicians. Its purpose is to be an affordable park for the average citizen.
I visit the island 3 or 4 weeks a year, depending on how long I can take off. I always stay for a week with my family between Christmas and New Year’s day. We rent a house because it’s less expensive than to renting hotel rooms for everyone for a whole week. I am less opposed to condos than most; however, I believe that the mix of hotels to condos should be about ¾ to ¼, with all development taking place on existing properties. One of the arguments used for the LLC/JIA development is that the island is losing convention business; I have yet to see anything that convinces me that more condos are better for convention goers. People who attend conventions book hotel rooms.
The four properties being or scheduled to be developed (once, as a source told me, LLC inevitably gets the old Ramada property) should more than satisfy the need for hotels and condos. I personally find the Trammell Crow “Canopy Bluff” too much but it’s already in the works and there isn’t anything I can do to stop it. I would like to see the Days Inn rebuilt once the other construction is finished so there isn’t a dearth of hotel rooms during “revitalization.”
Which leads me to the convention center. Some feel that since it was renovated a little over 10 years ago to the tune of $6 million, there doesn’t need to be a new one. However, I think people could be more easily convinced to build a new convention center and adjoining hotel if the case were convincingly made. Asking the public to pay $45 million for a new convention center and parking lot so you can put 3 new hotels and over 400 timeshares and condos on the public's main beach isn't a convincing case.
LLC/JIA contends that they are listening to the public. If they were, they might find that the public has some pretty good ideas. Even if you are for more development, there's an alternative to placing it directly on the beach. Clayton Porter, an island resident and successful businessman whose business is actually on the island, wrote an interesting counter proposal the LLC/JIA which works in the parameters of the RFP the JIA originally sent out.
He suggests that the development be moved inland; re-working 2 golf courses, a 9-hole and an 18-hole. His idea is to take 9 holes of the 18-hole course, which adds up to around 45-acres (what the original RFP called for) and put the new convention center, hotel and town center there. The remaining 9 holes could be combined with the other 9 hole course to create a spectacular golfing facility, one that would surely be a destination if done correctly (and if you know anything about LLC, they can do golf courses).
Porter says that "Once the project is completed then demolish the existing Convention Center and Shopping Center. Allow the area where the Convention Center and Shopping Center are located to return to Nature."
Some of his supporting points include:
• Convention Center, Hotel(s), Condos, Time Shares and Shopping would be centralized within walking distance of the Historic District and the golf course.
• Existing roads could provide adequate avenues for transit.
• Visitors traveling east on Fortson Pkwy would have a great view of the Atlantic Ocean as they near Beachview Drive.
• If Jekyll Island is hit by a major storm we may avoid extensive clean up of the beach area where structures may be destroyed. If you have ever seen the clean up process of heavily damaged structures on a beach after a hurricane you may know that it can be more devastating than the damage caused by the storm.
• Many Guests could have beautiful lakeside views.
• Hatchling Sea Turtles would not be drawn to the lighting that will be necessary if additional structures are allowed to be constructed along ocean.
• Many trees may be saved as areas of the golf course are already open where building could be constructed.
• Shops, grocery store, pharmacy, hardware store and post office would be closer to the areas where most of the residents live.
• Building the new shopping area and Convention Center Complex near the Historic District will provide a broader range of activities for visitors during their stay on Jekyll.
• The Fire Department would be closer to the Convention Center Hotel.
• All Jekyll visitors, whether they are here for the day, week or month will have adequate beachside parking.
He contends that visitors staying in the area that desire to go to the beach can walk, bike, drive or take a scheduled tram that the JIA may provide for a fee.
In closing, Porter says, "We currently have Villas by the Sea, Jekyll Oceanfront Clarion, Beachview Club, Oceanside, Days Inn and soon the Jekyll Islands Club’s new hotel, Canopy Bluff and potentially a hotel at the old Ramada site that can accommodate visitors that want to be near the Beach."
A thoughtful and reasoned proposal that adheres to the character of the island, something sorely lacking in the LLC/JIA plan.
Of course the JIA could reply that it won’t make as much money as the LLC plan. But let me repeat again: Jekyll Island is a state park, not a resort island.
Any discussion about retail should take into consideration the needs of residents and visitors, with more emphasis on residents. People don’t and won't go to Jekyll to shop. That isn’t where its draw lies and that’s what LLC/JIA just doesn’t get. There is, however, a definite need for more restaurants, especially a few more family options that are moderately priced.
The Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island, the group LLC/JIA desperately tries to demonize, also offered its own idea on how to get bond money for the JIA; they even suggest a way to repay the money by adding a $3/night "island improvement fee" which was supported by 90% of people who responded to their survey. You can find that here.
As for the JIA, they’re in dire need of a competent marketing department. Imagine having a brand that has such a distinct selling point- a natural island where the main beach ocean view is essentially unencumbered by hotels and condos, something very few, if any, places on the east coast can boast. A true point of difference is every advertiser's dream. And to absolutely screw that up by adding this type development boggles my mind.
There are some good ideas out there, one of which isn’t the LLC/JIA plan. Take a look at their plan for development on the beachfront here- there are before and after images along with models. As an addition to what's already there and projects that are underway, it's far more than what is needed to make the island self-sustaining.
I pointed out in an earlier post that the LLC/JIA partnership is more than just the 64-acre development that’s gotten the most attention. LLC is either buying or bidding on 2 other oceanfront properties. Along with that, their “vision plan” obviously shows they want a presence in every corner of the island. There’s a lot of “develop,” “expand” and “enhance” thrown around. Particularly interesting was part of the proposal that talks about expanding the historical district to add amenities and visitor accommodations. Doesn’t that say more hotels or condos to you? That’s not part of this 64-acre deal; once the ball gets rolling, it’s hard to stop.
The politics of this deal are so clumsy it’s like children are running the show. However, it shouldn’t distract from the plain fact that the LLC/JIA plan is bad and unwanted. Since Gov. Perdue has included money for Jekyll in his budget (a curiosity since the island is supposed to be self-sustaining- interesting timing; more on that later), it’s crunch time. Please sign Senator Chapman’s resolution and call your legislators to let them know how you feel.