February 08, 2008 09:32 pm
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The pages of the Tifton Gazette have been littered recently with incorrect information concerning the future of Jekyll Island. This subject inspires great passion but some of the expression of this passion is misguided and ill-informed. I must counter the accusations leveled at me personally and at Linger Longer Communities, the revitalization partner chosen by the Jekyll Island Authority.
Questions about the authenticity of declining visitation on Jekyll Island are simply unfounded. Since 1990, causeway traffic is down by half, tours of the historic district are down 29 percent, golf rounds are down 32 percent and hotel stays on the island are down 24 percent. In addition, many statewide groups that previously held their conventions on the island have decided to take their business elsewhere – even out of state. Many of those specifically say they will not return unless the island’s facilities are upgraded.
Although several writers allege that occupancy rates haven’t dropped significantly in the past few years and that declining visitation can be attributed to closed hotels, the truth is quite different. With fewer hotels, the same number of visitors should produce a rise in occupancy rates. Instead those rates continue to slide. And all of this is happening while Georgia’s population – and visitation to surrounding islands – is booming. Visitors must have more incentive to visit Jekyll Island than just a new hotel or a coat of paint on an old one.
While visitation and revenues decline, the Jekyll Island Authority has more than $50 million of necessary capital improvements to the island and infrastructure. That backlog continues to grow, and the downward spiral of visitation will continue as amenities continue to crumble. Meanwhile, the cost of the maintenance backlog will fall on the people of Georgia if the island does not generate the revenue to pay its own way.
While opponents say they favor upgrading existing hotels and replacing the convention center, their actions indicate otherwise. Many are opposed to all of the redevelopment projects occurring on Jekyll Island, including developer Trammell Crow’s Canopy Bluff project on the site of the old Buccaneer Hotel. In addition, they refuse to acknowledge that the new Linger Longer village is also in the footprint of existing land disturbances, including the convention center, shopping center, parking lots and Blackbeard’s Restaurant. Therefore, they are being disingenuous when they claim to support building on existing footprints on one hand and then oppose these revitalizations on the other.
Opponents also allege that the island is being "privatized" and beach access restricted. While old Tom Watson might enjoy such populist oratory, the reality is that the proposed plan does not restrict public access in any way. Instead, the new plan significantly improves – not eliminates - existing public access points to accommodate the island’s visitors.
Contrary to early fears and rumors, this small village will not be an exclusive community for the wealthy. No gated communities, no restricted access to beaches, no condo towers. Moreover, the proposed plan means a range of affordable accommodations with 72% priced under $139 per night per bedroom.
I’ve worked on behalf of conservation issues in Georgia for more than 30 years, and I asked for the opportunity to work with Linger Longer on the revitalization plan so that I could have a strong voice in ensuring environmental sensitivity and forethought. Our approach has been to develop a plan that brings people back to the island while preserving the unique cultural and ecological resources that make Jekyll so special. I am proud that one of our key partners in this proposal is Southface Energy Institute, a non-profit organization with a well-known reputation for creating standards for environmentally sustainability. We intend to make Jekyll a model for other coastal communities to study and emulate.
During my travels around the state to gather input from the public, I consistently hear one thing loud and clear: the people of Georgia have an old and deep love for Jekyll Island.
A very small group of detractors, some from Georgia and some from other states, say that they don’t want anything to change on the island. They see the island as their private "discovery", and they really don’t want any more visitors.
But the vast majority of Georgians are sad that the island is not a fun destination anymore, and they are eager to see their old friend Jekyll revitalized. Those that see the details of the Linger Longer plan believe that this plan has the right amount of development without going too far. Georgians want to come back to the island and bring their families – but only after the new project gives them compelling reasons to return.
Georgians also know that the State cannot do this project alone, and bringing in a private partner is not a "greed driven" relationship. It simply makes good sense for the State, for the taxpayer and the island visitor. Other state-owned properties and even national parks have private partners to help build and run hotels, golf courses and restaurants.
In a few weeks we will have a new version of the plan for revitalization. This new version will incorporate constructive suggestions from the public that we have gained from six months of public meetings, emails and travels to all parts of the state. We encourage the public to keep sending us their ideas.
Unfortunately, some people don’t really want to have a constructive dialogue about revitalizing Jekyll and have made no helpful suggestions about ensuring a sound future for the island. This includes State Senator Jeff Chapman who introduced legislation this week that would completely derail any serious attempts at revitalization. He did so on behalf of that small number of people who really don’t want more "average Georgians" or any other visitors coming to Jekyll Island. It’s an effort to drag out the process to the detriment of every Georgian who wants to see their beloved island rise again as a preferred recreational destination.
I look forward to continuing to meet people across the state, including those in Tift County, and hearing what the people of Georgia say as we work hand-in-hand to revitalize their island. We are still in the process of refining our plan, and we welcome your input. Please send visit our web site at www.rediscoverjekyll.com and make your voice heard. We read every email, those for and against the revitalization, and we take all of them into account.
Jim Langford
Project executive
Linger Longer Communities
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