Jekyll Island Authority approves Master Plan Amendment

Jekyll Island, Ga (December 16, 2008)— The Jekyll Island Authority approved Monday an amendment to the Jekyll Island Master Plan that will allow work to begin on the new Beach Village project. The Jekyll Island Beach Village plan will revitalize the primary entry corridor to the island on the area of Ben Fortson Parkway from the present Greeting Station to the intersection of Beachview Drive.

The amendment to the Master Plan is a small technical change to land delineation with six small parcels constituting approximately 1.72 acres being designated as “available for development” from the previous designation as “undeveloped.” State law requires that a minimum of 65% of Jekyll Island must remain “undeveloped”, and this change does not affect that balance.

The new island entry corridor associated with the Beach Village will change the current “T” intersection to a “Y” intersection. The change will place the new hotels, convention center, shopping village and public park and plaza on the beachside of the road, improving traffic flow, traffic safety, pedestrian access to the beach for residents and visitors alike.

The amendment to the Master Plan was approved upon completion of the process defined in the Georgia law, and included a public hearing and public input period. The amendment was introduced by the Jekyll Island Authority on October 6th upon the approval of the final Beach Village plan as proposed by revitalization partner Linger Longer Communities. The scaled-back plan has received overwhelming support for its limitations and the creation of a 14 acre beachfront park. The Beach Village plan will create a new gathering place on the island and include a redeveloped and expanded convention center, two new hotels, vacation ownership, retail village, public plaza and the beachfront park.

The revitalization of Jekyll Island has gained momentum over the last several months and now boasts five redevelopment projects representing over $390 million of private investment. The public areas will be funded by $25 million in state bonds, which will be repaid directly by the Jekyll Island Authority.

Jekyll Island currently has seven hotels open and operating, including the newly renovated Jekyll Oceanfront Resort. Other hotels include the Beachview Club Hotel, Days Inn & Suites, Oceanside Inn & Suites, Quality Inn, Jekyll Island Club Hotel and the Villas By The Sea. Information regarding all Jekyll Island revitalization projects and policies can be found at jekyllisland.com/news.

Contact Information

Eric Garvey

Sr. Director of Marketing

Jekyll Island Authority

Contact via E-mail