Fiscal responsibility in Jekyll Island’s redevelopment:
Analysis of the dynamics of sea level, erosion, and dune migration
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To be fiscally responsible in the use of the taxpayers’ funds, state decision-makers must carefully plan development of public property such as Jekyll Island State Park.
To be fiscally responsible in the use of the taxpayers’ funds, state decision-makers must carefully plan development of public property such as Jekyll Island State Park.-2-This objective is even more important when public funds, as well as public property, are used to provide infrastructure to support such development. Millions of dollars in public funds are proposed to support the development being promoted by the Jekyll Island Authority. Inadequate analysis of risk could result in wasted investments and degraded resources, both built and natural.
This objective is even more important when public funds, as well as public property, are used to provide infrastructure to support such development. Millions of dollars in public funds are proposed to support the development being promoted by the Jekyll Island Authority. Inadequate analysis of risk could result in wasted investments and degraded resources, both built and natural.-3-Roads, water and sewer systems, and public buildings should be located in areas that minimize the risk to their continuing function and use. Another way of saying this is that decisions determining how public funds are used for infrastructure must attempt to maximize the public benefit from such investments throughout the complete lifespan of service for that infrastructure.
Roads, water and sewer systems, and public buildings should be located in areas that minimize the risk to their continuing function and use. Another way of saying this is that decisions determining how public funds are used for infrastructure must attempt to maximize the public benefit from such investments throughout the complete lifespan of service for that infrastructure.-4-Building hard surfaces or structures in the path of storm surges introduce additional risks to surrounding shorefront property. Swimming pools, utility buildings, decks, and other constructed facilities, unlike the sand and dune system, do not absorb wave energy from storm surges, but deflect this energy to risk still more damage on adjacent properties.
Building hard surfaces or structures in the path of storm surges introduce additional risks to surrounding shorefront property. Swimming pools, utility buildings, decks, and other constructed facilities, unlike the sand and dune system, do not absorb wave energy from storm surges, but deflect this energy to risk still more damage on adjacent properties. -5-Likewise, when storm surges break up these hard structures or dislodge them from their foundations, the debris produced adds to the destructive forces of wind-driven waves, doing more harm to both public resources and private property in surrounding areas. Thus, carefully controlling the location and amount of such structures along shorelines helps prevent avoidable damage during major storms.
Likewise, when storm surges break up these hard structures or dislodge them from their foundations, the debris produced adds to the destructive forces of wind-driven waves, doing more harm to both public resources and private property in surrounding areas. Thus, carefully controlling the location and amount of such structures along shorelines helps prevent avoidable damage during major storms. -6-To achieve the above objectives for preventing avoidable risk, projects using public funds and/or public land must not be done in areas that are prone to destructive natural events such as flooding, storm surge, or erosion. Due to historic erosion of the Jekyll shoreline in combination with projected acceleration in sea level, special attention must be given to these issues as they affect evaluation of fiscal responsibility.
To achieve the above objectives for preventing avoidable risk, projects using public funds and/or public land must not be done in areas that are prone to destructive natural events such as flooding, storm surge, or erosion. Due to historic erosion of the Jekyll shoreline in combination with projected acceleration in sea level, special attention must be given to these issues as they affect evaluation of fiscal responsibility. -7-No plans for development on Jekyll Island should be approved or funded without more accurate and complete analysis of the dynamic factors that will determine their lasting benefit to the public. If, for example, proposed infrastructure were to support development that would become inaccessible or degraded because of erosion or flooding, this use of public funds would not be fiscally responsible.
No plans for development on Jekyll Island should be approved or funded without more accurate and complete analysis of the dynamic factors that will determine their lasting benefit to the public. If, for example, proposed infrastructure were to support development that would become inaccessible or degraded because of erosion or flooding, this use of public funds would not be fiscally responsible.-8-Likewise, public resources such as dunes, the sand-sharing system, marshes, waterways, and freshwater wetlands, must be protected from activities that impair their functions. Decisions affecting their condition and use, like development at Jekyll Island State Park, should be supported by advanced levels of analysis in cases where public investments and/or public land are involved.
Likewise, public resources such as dunes, the sand-sharing system, marshes, waterways, and freshwater wetlands, must be protected from activities that impair their functions. Decisions affecting their condition and use, like development at Jekyll Island State Park, should be supported by advanced levels of analysis in cases where public investments and/or public land are involved.-9-By all of these criteria, the proposal for developing the town center project on Jekyll Island has not been shown to be fiscally responsible. Further study and analysis is needed to evaluate both the fiscal and environmental responsibility of the public investments being proposed by the JIA.
By all of these criteria, the proposal for developing the town center project on Jekyll Island has not been shown to be fiscally responsible. Further study and analysis is needed to evaluate both the fiscal and environmental responsibility of the public investments being proposed by the JIA.Further analysis of these critical factors is essential to supporting
(1) fiscal responsibility by defending public infrastructure and natural resources, as well as
(2) protection of private property that is in the path of shoreline risks.
The value of this analysis needs to be clearly recognized in decision-making procedures related to the development of Jekyll Island and all other shorefront areas along Georgia’s coast.
These issues of shore shoreline dynamics are of utmost importance to Jekyll’s redevelopment because the proposed construction would be on state-owned land and supported by state-authorized infrastructure investments. Extreme caution must be exercised to prevent significant risks to public and private property.
David Kyler, Executive Director
Center for a Sustainable Coast, Saint Simons Island
Email: susdev@gate.net
Website: www.sustainablecoast.org
Voice: 912.638.3612
Conserving Coastal Georgia's Natural Heritage,
Investing in Our Children's Future
On November 15, 2007, the Steering Committee of the DeKalb County Democratic Party passed the following resolution:
"The Steering Committee of the DeKalb Democratic Party deems the
current plans for modifying and expanding the facilities on our
Jekyll Island State Park are not in keeping with the intent of the
park's vision nor are these developments meant to serve all of
Georgia's citizens."
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Clarke County Democratic Committee
A Resolution: Saving Jekyll Island
Whereas, The Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) has recently selected Linger Longer Communities (LLC) as its private partner to help redevelop and further develop Jekyll Island State Park, beginning with the creation of a 64-acre town square center (referred to by LLC as the Jekyll Island Village) running along the central part of Jekyll’s oceanfront, and
Whereas, the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island (IPJI) has declared that the type and scale of development being suggested is wrong for a state park founded with accessibility and affordability in mind, and would damage the relaxed, unspoiled character which distinguishes Jekyll from other coastal vacation sites, and
Whereas, the LLC plan would lead to a further decrease in the percentage of Jekyll’s affordable lodgings, making high-end accommodations the norm within the park, and
Whereas, the plan would reduce public access to the beach and eliminate a popular miniature golf course and adjoining children’s playground;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Clarke County Democratic Committee believes that up-scaling the park, crowding it with condos and time-shares, and making day visitation inconvenient are not what the People of Georgia need for Jekyll Island, and were promised and,
Furthermore, the Committee will communicate our concerns about the future of the Island to the members of the JIA Legislative Oversight Committee, our local state legislators, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Gov. Sonny Perdue, and
Furthermore, upon adoption of this resolution by vote of the Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting, this resolution shall be communicated to these elected officials, to the press and to the public.
Approved by vote of the Committee, October 23, 2007
David B. Jarrett, MD, Resolutions Chairman
Mac Rawson, PhD, Committee Chair
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NEWS RELEASE
Representatives Karla Drenner and Stephanie Benfield Join Fight to Save Jekyll Island State Park
ATLANTA—Georgia State Representatives Karla Drenner (D-Dekalb) and Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-Atlanta) have joined the statewide citizens’ campaign to protect Jekyll Island for the average visitor. The Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island (IPJI) is a grassroots, not for profit group serving as the voice of Jekyll Island’s visitors.
“Jekyll Island is one of Georgia’s natural treasures and we must make sure that we are not turning it into an upscale resort that the average Georgian cannot afford to visit,” Drenner said.
Benfield added, “We are not against making improvements to Jekyll Island. Rather, we are in favor of passing on a legacy to our children and preserving this treasure for all future generations of all income levels and socio-economic status to enjoy.”
The IPJI is an association of more than 5,000 supporters from around Georgia who are committed to restrained development of Jekyll Island. The group supports improvements to the existing hotel accommodations in a manner consistent with keeping the island affordable for visitors of all income levels, refurbishment of the Jekyll Island Convention Center with the addition of an adjacent hotel, and the adoption of building standards consistent with those specified by the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. IPJI also seeks the protection of the south end of the island from further development or redevelopment, ecotourism opportunities, and the maintenance of a “condominium free” environment within Jekyll Island’s golf course complex.
Drenner and Benfied have signed the IPJI’s petition discouraging the Jekyll Island Authority Board from implementing the current redevelopment plan. The petition can be found at www.savejekyllisland.org.
Michelle Hitt Grasso
Director of House Media Relations
Georgia House of Representatives
609 Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Phone: (404) 656-0311
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Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2007
Dear Common Cause Supporter,
I am asking for your help in making sure the state keeps its promise and
remains a good steward of Jekyll Island, the golden isle that has been an
affordable vacation destination for many decades.
The Jekyll Island Authority seems to be headed in a direction that will
make Jekyll unaffordable as a vacation destination for most of us. By law,
65% of the island must remain undeveloped. What happens to the other 35%
is up to the Jekyll Island Authority, consisting of eight directors
appointed by Governor Perdue.
The state bought Jekyll Island in 1947. Our General Assembly made it clear
that Jekyll was to be protected from unbridled development:
"The Georgia General Assembly finds that Jekyll Island is home to some of
the state's most treasured natural and cultural resources and it is the
expressed intent of this body to ensure the preservation of these resources
for the enjoyment of all Georgians now and for future generations to come."
Absent strong citizen action, the Jekyll Island Authority is on track to
empower private partners to redevelop the 35% with an upscale slant that
will preclude the traditional affordable ocean side motels that have
supported school field trips, church retreats, and vacations by Georgians
over the years.
On September 24, the Authority board awarded a contract to Linger Longer
Communities, a high-end development firm headed by the Reynolds family, who
have contributed almost $30,000 to Governor Perdue's campaigns.*
Without doubt, the facilities at Jekyll need a good sprucing up. What
we're concerned about is that in the process, they will make the beach
hotels available only to those who can pay high prices. That's a clear
breech of the contract the state made with the people when they created the
authority years ago. Well-connected developers do not have a right to
change Jekyll from a people's park to an exclusive resort just because the
economic opportunity is there.
Earlier this year Common Cause joined other groups in successfully lobbying
against a plan for Jekyll that would have allowed development on the
pristine south end of the island. Under the leadership of State Senator
Jeff Chapman, the south end was preserved.
What is needed now is a clear message to the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA)
board, the governor, and the legislature that we need to manage change so
that the park does not go the way of Hilton Head, and that affordable beach
hotel accommodations are part of the long term strategy.
What can you do?
1.) Contact the Governor and members of the JIA Oversight Committee.
Emails are good -- but in this case, phone calls are more effective.
2.) Sign the petition of The Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island. Already
5,000 strong, these volunteers work with legislators and other members of
the community to insure that Jekyll Island continues to provide a broad
range of affordable accommodations for all types of tourists.
3.) Monitor the Common Cause Georgia website as we continue to track this
issue.
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Bill Bozarth
Executive Director, Common Cause Georgia
Forward this message: http://www.commoncause.org/TellFriends
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