THE FUTURE OF JEKYLL ISLAND?
Jekyll Island was established as a state park for the enjoyment of Georgia's citizens and was specifically mandated to be affordable to all. The Jekyll Island Authority and its Board of Directors (appointed by Governor Perdue), acting in concert with a yet to be named private development partner, will soon be drafting plans concerning the refurbishment and further development of Jekyll Island which will have major consequences for its future and for the use of the island by its many visitors. Your voice as a citizen of or a visitor to Jekyll Island needs to be heard at this pivotal juncture in the island's history. To this end, we are distributing a survey to determine the public's thinking about the following ideas--some of which have been put forth by private developers--that may currently be under consideration. The results of our survey will be given to the Jekyll Island Authority Board and state lawmakers at the most appropriate time.
Proposals/ideas under consideration:
1) Remodel and update the existing hotels, restaurants and shops.
2) Build a modern convention center with an adjacent hotel, perhaps near the island's entry way.
3) Create a "town square" setting of shops and restaurants--perhaps including condominiums--on the site where the convention and shopping centers currently are located.
4) Develop the south end of the island (on the existing 4H site and soccer fields) by building luxury homes and condos, possibly selling for $500,000 - $1,000,000+.
5) Reduce the number of golf holes on the existing courses to make way for residential development, and perhaps designate one of the remaining courses for exclusive use by condo/homeowners and/or an upscale hotel.
Our views on the impact of the above stated proposals/ideas if they were to be implemented:
Proposals 1 and 2 would have minimal impact on the island's environment and ecosystem but would give visitors new accommodations and more options for dining, shopping and entertainment. These steps presumably would increase tourism, thereby providing needed revenue for the Jekyll Island Authority to make necessary improvements such as renourishing the island's beaches and updating its facilities and infrastructure.
Proposals 3 and 4 may have considerable impact on the island's fragile ecosystem by accelerating beach and dune erosion, reducing the number of turtle nestings on the island, and disturbing and reducing the island's large migratory bird population. The environmental education opportunities for the more than 11,000 students who annually visit the seaside 4H center and the recreational benefits the soccer complex provides for players of all ages competing in the many local, state and interstate games held at the facility may also be victims of the private development of the island's south end.
Proposals 3, 4 and 5 call for taking land populated by facilities which are being used by the general public and leasing it over to private developers for their own profit, thereby reducing environmental education and recreational opportunities for thousands of ordinary citizens for the sake of providing high-priced homes and condos for a relatively small number of wealthy individuals.
Thank you,
Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island
It is your turn to let your views on the future of Jekyll Island be known. Click here. and print the pop up window and fill out the survey. Mail your completed survey to the address below. Thank you for your help.
Mindy Egan
308 Old Plantation Rd.
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
Click here for a printable copy of the survey.
Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-Atlanta) represents the 85 th District (DeKalb County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact her at 512 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-7859 or by e-mail at stuckey@mindspring.com.
Friends & Neighbors of Stephanie Stuckey Benfield
940 Artwood Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
(404) 377-7014
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