Developer Counters Accusations in the Cordele Dispatch

by Jim Langford, Linger Longer Project Executive • February 13, 2008

Dear Editor, The pages of the Cordele Dispatch 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.

Jim Langford Linger Longer Communities Jekyll Island