/PRNewswire/ -- Governor Sonny Perdue, along with board members and staff of The Jekyll Island Authority, officially launched Jekyll Island's revitalization today with a public celebration attended by area business leaders, government officials, dignitaries, guests and residents of Jekyll Island.
Signifying an exciting future for Jekyll Island, Governor Perdue was joined by board members and dignitaries to plant a commemorative tree at the future site of Great Dunes Park -- which one day will be a beautiful and central welcoming area for all Jekyll Island guests. Today's event marked the first official groundbreaking for the highly-anticipated public revitalization project planned for the island.
In his public remarks today, Gov. Perdue said, "The revitalization of Jekyll Island has been discussed for many years, and I'm excited that this day is finally here. This public-private partnership will result in a reinvigorated Jekyll Island that will attract more visitors who will appreciate the beauty and history of one of our state's crown jewels."
Echoing the Governor's sentiment was Jekyll Island Authority Board Chairman Bob Krueger, "This is great news for Jekyll Island," Krueger said. "This was a grand day, and marks the beginning of Jekyll Island's revitalization. It's all good, and it's a sign of great things to come for the island."
Also attending today's ceremony were delegates to the 71st annual meeting of nearly 1,400 members of the Georgia Farm Bureau. "We have welcomed this group more than 45 times on Jekyll Island, and their support has had a significant guest and economic impact on our Island," said Hooks. "It's very fitting that they're here with us today as we celebrate our future, and we look forward to hosting them many more times on our revitalized island."
Great Dunes Park
Today the island broke ground for Great Dunes Park. Once completed, it will welcome guests and residents to Jekyll Island with nearly 20 acres of beachfront space enhanced by several picnic pavilions, a deck for beach events, a play area, beach access for the public, and more. The play area will include an 8,000-square-foot environmental area for kids and other natural recreational elements. This development project, which will encompass dune restoration where appropriate, and will also incorporate structural features to protect the environment, such as bio-swells to capture and treat storm-water run-off, sea-turtle-friendly lighting, and signage to educate visitors about the environment. Pedestrian-friendly markings will guide guests throughout the entire beachfront park.
The parking area at the existing convention center will be redesigned to provide parking for the new beach park and convention center, along with expanded family and group pavilions. A new beach deck will provide elevated views of beach and lawn activities, a shaded pavilion, and restrooms. Native tree and shrub plantings will enhance the beachside feel and provide durable, low-maintenance vegetation to protect the dunes and provide a natural habitat for wildlife. Signage will educate visitors about the environmental sensitivity of barrier islands. A walkway will connect Great Dunes Park to the future Jekyll Island Beach Village. Southern Wilderness, of Edison, GA, was awarded the Great Dunes construction project at the end of November, and their winning bid was nearly a half million under the proposed $2.2 million budget for the project.
Jekyll Island Convention Center
Following the construction of Great Dunes Park, the Jekyll Island Authority is scheduled to break ground on the new Jekyll Island Convention Center. The new facility will provide more than 120,000 square feet of prime meeting space for planners and maximum enjoyment for guests. It will be integrated into its natural beachfront location in a manner that minimizes impact on the environment while creating a positive guest experience to ensure strong repeat business for years to come.
The interior design of the center will present a relaxed coastal experience in keeping with the indigenous beachfront context. The roof forms of the building's exterior will harmonize with the surrounding beachfront trees. Outdoor terraces will allow visitors to enjoy delightful vistas and balmy coastal breezes while sheltered from sun or rain. Views of the dunes and ocean will be a key feature for attracting conventions - many of which are currently meeting outside the State.
Jekyll Island Entrance Revitalization and Island Improvements:
The next phase of Jekyll Island's revitalization includes plans to improve entry corridors welcoming guests to Jekyll Island. All improvements to the entry corridor will take advantage of existing live oaks to enhance the intimate character of the Jekyll Island entry experience. The Jekyll Island Causeway and Beachview Drive, both two-lane roads, will provide adequate traffic capacity for the existing and proposed development. Relocating the present welcome center to the vicinity of the current visitors' center on the causeway will allow the inland to better display its scenic beauty to arriving guests. Expanding the entrance to two traffic lanes will further enhance the arrival experience. Current plans call for construction of a new gas station on the island with 24-hour service and a food mart, to replace the station that was closed earlier this year. Verizon Wireless recently completed a new cell phone tower in November on the south end of Jekyll Island. The tower enhances calling capacity and in-building service-level to the Verizon Wireless voice, National Access data and Broadband Access data network for the guests staying at the Jekyll Island Club.
Morgan Center
In partnership with the Jekyll Landmark Associates (a Jekyll Island Club Hotel affiliate), the Jekyll Island Authority has agreed to an adaptive reuse of the 1929 Morgan Tennis Center as the home for Jekyll Island meeting and convention activities during the revitalization process. Construction is underway and exterior and interior renovations will include a wonderful event balcony that will make the building suitable for weddings, meetings, banquets, and other events. New food service and kitchen facilities will be added to the existing building, along with new restrooms, and the facility will continue offering wedding and event services after the new convention center is completed.
Jekyll Island Beach Village
Plans continue for the Jekyll Island Beach Village, anticipated as a charming hub and popular island destination for Jekyll Island guests and residents. Current retail offerings on Jekyll Island will be integrated into the new Beach Village location, and Reynolds Companies, in partnership with the Jekyll Island Authority, will fund, design, and construct various private portions of the village, to include approximately 30,000 square feet of retail space located below approximately 60 loft units, a 150-room economy hotel, and a 200-room mid-scale hotel. A future 160-unit, vacation-ownership project or cottage development is also planned to the south of the hotels. In addition to the $50 million in public investment designated for Jekyll Island's revitalization, an approximately $120 million in private funding will be invested to build these hotels, along with restaurants and retail shops.
New Hampton Inn and Suites
In January, 2010, the first new hotel on Jekyll Island since 1974 will open its doors. The beachfront Hampton Inn and Suites will be jointly owned by New Castle and Jekyll Ocean Oaks, LLC, the owner-operator of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. The new facility will offer 138 guest rooms, 88 of which are suites with balconies. Amenities will include a lobby bar, beach access, revitalized nature trails, an expansive pool deck, a kid's pool, and a large hot tub. The property utilizes solar panels for water heating, and the hotel is a member of the "Green" Hotel Association, a group of environmentally-friendly properties whose managers are eager to institute programs that save water, save energy and reduce solid waste.
Economic Impact
The revitalization of Jekyll Island continues to move forward despite the unprecedented national economic recession. With the $50 million of public funding committed, the Jekyll Island Authority has been able to keep revitalization on track for necessary public infrastructure redevelopment. The projects will create 200 construction jobs with a payroll of more than $56 million.
"Jekyll Island was first purchased by the State as a wonderful and special place for all Georgians," said Jekyll Island Executive Director Jones Hooks. "On completion, Jekyll Island will be back on the map as a spectacular place to live and visit in Georgia, and will once again be known as one of the premier travel destinations in the Southeast. The momentum starts today with this exciting project that will create jobs at a time when they are desperately needed, and we're confident that 'It's All Good!'"
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Monday, December 7, 2009
Public Celebration Officially Launches Revitalization of Jekyll Island
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The BeltLine is Happening: Historic Fourth Ward Park Breaks Ground
PRNewswire/ -- Thirty-five acres of blighted industrial lowland near City Hall East will move closer to transformation into Historic Fourth Ward Park after a groundbreaking ceremony at 10:30 a.m., Wed., Oct. 15: approximately 695 North Avenue, 30308. Construction of a detention pond, part of the Clear Creek Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Capacity Relief Project, will pave the way for the development of the first park in the "emerald necklace" that will ultimately be Atlanta's BeltLine. Land for the park was first secured by the Trust for Public Land in 2004.
"This park will provide vital greenspace and improve the quality of life for our neighbors in the Historic Fourth Ward," Mayor Shirley Franklin said.
Initially, the City intended to address CSO overflow problems in the Old Fourth Ward area of the Clear Creek Basin by extending the West area CSO tunnel. Instead, the City is reclaiming a former wetland and creating a centerpiece for the future park at a cost lower than the cost of the tunnel extension. The park will connect several historic neighborhoods and downtown, which have long been separated by racial, economic and physical barriers.
"This is one of those rare public projects that has captured the imagination of everyone involved," said Atlanta City Councilmember Kwanza Hall. "The year-long design process brought residents, stormwater engineers, and landscape architects together as equals around a common table. Because the process respected the core values of the Old Fourth Ward -- diversity, innovation, and a commitment to social justice -- one of the city's most historic neighborhoods is now home to its most forward-thinking park."
Other organizations that are making the Historic Fourth Ward Park possible are:
The BeltLine, which will combine greenspace, trails, transit and new development along 22 miles of historic rail segments that encircle Atlanta, is a solution to the challenges that threaten to limit Atlanta's health and prosperity: traffic; lack of greenspace and recreation opportunities; and uneven economic development.
-- "Historic Fourth Ward Park is a shining example of how the BeltLine can facilitate more holistic consideration of our greatest urban infrastructure challenges," said Atlanta BeltLine Inc. President and CEO Terri Montague. "Beginning with passionate members of the community and continuing through the collaboration with government entities and leveraging of diverse public and private funding, we are delivering urban redevelopment."
The Department of Watershed Management is using the Clear Creek CSO Capacity Relief Project to create an amenity that will be enjoyed by residents in the area. The project will help reduce overflows in the low-lying area near City Hall East and provide additional combined sewer capacity for the community.
-- "This project not only helps eliminate a serious problem, it also provides an attractive and functional amenity," DWM Commissioner Rob Hunter said.
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Since its founding in 1972, TPL has helped protect more than 2 million acres of land in 45 states.
The Park Area Coalition is a group of developers, property owners and neighborhood leaders committed to the development of Historic Fourth Ward Park as the centerpiece of a larger, higher density, sustainable urban neighborhood.
-- "The Beltline is the most potentially city-changing project that has ever been undertaken in Atlanta," said Bob Bridges of The Simpson Organization and founding PAC member. "Because of development patterns for intown Atlanta, H4WP is likely to be the most heavily used park on the BeltLine."
The Historic Fourth Ward Park Conservancy was formed in 2008 as the non-profit support arm for the Historic Fourth Ward Park.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Six Flags Wins Top Honors at 2008 Golden Ticket Awards
GFP Note: Six Flags over Georgia pulled in the golden ticket for Riverview Carousel as Best Carousel.
PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Six Flags, Inc. (NYSE:SIX) announced today that Amusement Today, the nation's leading theme park industry publication, has awarded the company two coveted 2008 Golden Ticket Awards. The Golden Ticket Awards annually recognize the "Best of the Best" in the leisure entertainment industry. These awards, often referred to as "The Oscars of the Amusement Industry," are voted on by a panel of experts and enthusiasts from across the country.
Six Flags has once again received top honors for the industry's Best Shows with Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, Texas winning an unprecedented 10th straight award in the category. Six Flags was also recognized for the Best Steel Coaster -- SUPERMAN Ride of Steel at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts. This is the fourth win for this perennial favorite and its third in a row.
Six Flags held 15 placements on Amusement Today's list of the 50 Top Steel Coasters with SUPERMAN Ride of Steel receiving top honors, Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure coming in at number 3 and Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia ranking 6th. Among the Top 50 Wooden Coasters, Six Flags had 7 placements including El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure at number 4.
"Superman Ride of Steel is simply an amazing machine," said Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards Communications Coordinator Tim Baldwin. "There is no other steel coaster anywhere on the planet that delivers great drops, massive negative Gs, and wild directional changes to the scale Superman does. It's the ultimate package."
"We are very proud of our portfolio of parks and the world class, thrilling entertainment each of them deliver every single operating day," said Mike Antinoro, Six Flags Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Marketing, "and we are extremely grateful to Amusement Today and theme park guests everywhere for this honor and recognition."
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