The Jekyll Island development controversy gains new clarity in this interview with four of the primary participants. (1) Sen. Jeff Chapman (R-3) plans to introduce a resolution which would effectively prevent new development on the beach. (2) David Egan, Founder of the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island, wants the Jekyll Island Authority to listen to what the people want. (3) Jim Langford is the Project Manager of Linger Longer, the Revitalization Partner selected by the JIA in a bid process that is currently in litigation. (4) Eric Garvy is the Senior Director of Marketing and Business Development for the Jekyll Island Authority and firmly defends its actions and decisions.
Because all 5 of us were on the phone at the same time, I scheduled this interview for an hour. While this may be long, it is well worth the effort. My previous interviews with Chapman, Egan, Langford, and Garvey provide a lot of background, but it took this interview for me to truly appreciate the real bottom line in this controversy: Will Jekyll Island be preserved or developed?
A little history. Jekyll was purchased by the State in the late 40s. The State still owns all the land and simply leases it to homeowners, motel and business owners to generate the income necessary to maintain the roads and other infrastructure, as well as other projects such as restoration of the historic district and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
In 2007 the legislature declared Jekyll to be Georgia’s Jewel, but it is on the verge of being a multimillion dollar jewel in the hat of developers if the current 63-acre development project proposed by Linger Longer and selected by the JIA goes forward.
The law that created the JIA contained a specific directive for the income generated on Jekyll Island:
All income and revenues arising out of the operation of Jekyll Island State Park, and all gifts, grants, appropriations, or bond or loan proceeds made specifically for Jekyll Island State Park, shall be used by the authority for the sole purpose of beautifying, improving, developing, enlarging, maintaining, administering, managing, and promoting Jekyll Island State Park at the lowest rates reasonable and possible for the benefit of the people of the State of Georgia.
While it is the responsibility of the JIA to manage Jekyll in a manner that generates sufficient income, it seems obvious, at least to me, that in 1950 the legislature envisioned something other than a fully developed resort type recreation area. This interview explores in depth several issues which arise from the manner in which the JIA seeks to fulfill its responsibility to Jekyll and to the people of Georgia.
This is clearly not a dispute about revitalization of the existing motels and convention facility. Everyone agrees this is necessary, and in fact, several facilities either have been or are in the process of major renovation or complete rebuilding. When all are back online the increased capacity and higher room rates will result in more annual income for the JIA.
The controversy focuses on two basic issues: (1) Is the propsed 63 acres of new development necessary to meet the reasonable income needs of the JIA? (2) Should any development be allowed on the prime stretch of beach (approximately 9000 ft.) that is, without question, unique, both in the quality of the beach and length.
IS THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT NECESSARY? The answer depends on your choice of goals. Langford of Linger Longer contends it will generate $100 million in income for the JIA over 10 or more years. It is hard to argue against such a project if your goal is to make as much money as possible. Not only that, but this project is just the first that the JIA is contemplating. Presumably, the JIA wants even more in income. The question is why? The answer to that question is not written in some brochure or noted on the JIA website. The motives of the JIA can only be judged in the context of the its actions and conduct regarding the development and promotion of the project.
While I am sure Linger Longer and the JIA will disagree, that judgment is not flattering to an entity like the JIA which is charged with a public trust. Rather, the JIA has made a mockery of the idea that it acts as a Trustee for the people of this State. It undertook this project without any apparent attempt to determine its actual income needs. The JIA cannot answer this question: Will the existing faciliities, once they are renovated, generate enough income to meet the operational needs of Jekyll? Even with the old motels, Jekyll operated in the black every year but one, and that was when the renovations may well have affected the number of rooms available.
Another breach of the public trust by the JIA is its apparent total lack of concern, bordering on scorn, for public opinion and input. It dreamed up this project, it issued a request for developers to submit proposals, and it gave its approval to Linger Longer without ever undertaking to find out first what the residents of Jekyll or what the people of the State of Georgia wanted. Like most bureaucratic entities, the JIA assumes it knows best in all things and the people that actually live on or visit Jekyll know nothing.
In this interview, Langford and Garvey suggest that the JIA and Linger Longer are willing to scrap this project if the people don’t want it or if someone has a better idea. The actions of the JIA in this entire process raise serious doubts as to whether or not this is anything other than mere lip service. It is rare to see a state agency or authority decide on a course of action and voluntarily yield to public pressure to change direction. While it can happen, it is not easy for the public to force the change without the assistance of a big stick. That big stick just might be the pending litigation or, in this election year, it might be public outcry.
One other point. The JIA clearly seems determined to develop Jekyll Island to the fullest extent possible. Why? That goal is not in the legislative directive which created the JIA. Since 1950 the JIA has never promoted development, first and foremost, above all other considerations. Why the change? Why now? It could be that the recent appointments by Governor Perdue to the JIA have a new idea for what should be done to Jekyll. But the real answer is money, plain and simple. If you ever have a question about why government does something, follow the money. If Linger Longer’s proposed project goes through, it will make tens of millions of dollars. The JIA’s plans for further development will put hundreds of millions of dollars of pure profit into the hands of Linger Longer or some other developer.
Why development? Because we can is the JIA’s position. Why not! Earn millions, spend milliions, put millions into the hands of people like Mercer Reynolds, the owner of Linger Longer, who gives big, big money to governors and presidents.
IS IT NECESSARY TO BUILD ON A BEACH THAT HAS BEEN UNOBSTRUCTED FOR MILLIONS OF YEARS? The JIA’s position on this simple issue reveals the simple truth: The JIA isn’t interested in earning enough income to provide accommodations at the lowest rates reasonable and possible for the benefit of the people of the State of Georgia. It’s interest is to suck just as much money out of Jekyll as it can, the beach be damned. That’s it, spread the love, baby!
Without a doubt, whatever project JIA and Linger Longer propose to build could be built somewhere else on Jekyll. So why not satisfy the people and just move the project to another location and leave the unobstructed beach unobstructed? The answer, money! As Langford said at the beginning of the interview, the present goal of the project is to create an “economic engine.” As Sen. Chapman points out, there is nothing to suggest that the legislature or the people of Georgia bought Jekyll Island for the purpose of creating an economic engine. That was not and is not Georgia’s intent for Jekyll. The problem is the JIA has forgotten or ignored that it holds Jekyll in trust for the rest of us. The JIA thinks it owns the place.
There are only two ways to deal with a state agency which has become arrogant, that won’t listen to anyone, that is intoxicated with its own power. One option involves violence, is clearly illegal, and therefore not one that I can recommend. The other option is legislative action which is exactly what Sen. Chapman proposes to do. His proposal would prohibit development on the beach so that the view we all grew up with would be there for our grandchildren. It would also insure that whatever leadership failures future members of the JIA exhibit, it won’t threaten the beach and the view.
Now, the question is whether or not that Republican majority in the legislature will exhibit some leadership on this issue. And that is a big question!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing about this issue in such a clear, concise way. I honestly believe that the JIA tried to do this as quietly as possible while the public was distracted by the national election noise- and before Perdue’s quest for a possible VP run. I’ve written letters in response to Langford’s “resolution” pointing out that LLC is buying or bidding on TWO other beachfront properties currently. The whole deal just reeks of blatant abuse and cronyism.
Your analysis is exactly correct. The people of Georgia don’t want their state park — Jekyll Island — turned into a fancy tourist mecca that financially benefits a handful of big developers and the grasping members of JIA.
We want our beautiful beach left in tact as it is and unspoiled. We want the existing crumbling hotels and shops spiffed up. And we don’t want more people living in our state park in private condos.
The governor and his political cronies are on their way to destroying Georgia’s jewel and Georgians must do what they can to try and stop them.
I am listeninig to your interview with the Jekyll crew now, and this is fabulous! I don’t know how you managed to get these 4 guys together for a public discussion. Good work, and thank you. You do a great job of moderating and of calling BS when you hear it. Thank you for your attention to this very important matter. Keep up the good work, and please continue to help keep us informed. This is vital.
Thank you, Wilson, for providing a venue that allows both sides of the debate to be heard. The public needs to know the simple truth. It does not need manipulated “facts” that justify radical overdevelopment. Jekyll Island is a state park, and it belongs to the people of Georgia. Income should not be the sole consideration for the state’s stewardship of this public property.
I appreciate the fact that Senator Chapman has the courage to stand for what is right for Georgia’s citizens, in spite of the governor’s opinion.
I really appreciate having an opportunity to hear both sides of the story on the Jekyll development issue. It seems clear to me that we have the people of Georgia standing on one side of this issue and a developer trying to spin a project in a way that will make it seem as if it’s just what the public wants. I doubt if anyone outside the developer community believes that Jekyll, and the people of our state, would be better served by a beachside development project than by having an unobstructed public beach. I would, however, like to see the current oaceanside parking lots repaved with a permeable surface and to have some picnic grounds sprinkled along the way.
I agree whole heartily with this statement. I do not personally live on Jekyll or in GA for that matter but I feel very passionate about this issue. The fact that the public of GA is against the issue and has been completly ignored so that obsene money can be made, it’s saddening. My (extended) family and my friends have been visiting the ialand for many years and the main attraction for us is the pure beauty of the open unspoiled beach. Put cement infront of that view and the beauty spoiled. I think the project needs to be scaled down and moved off the beach.
Also lets not leave out the wildlife. Would the wildlife of Jekyll benefit from condos and 700 more hotel rooms? Certainly not.
Here are some great sites to visit and participate in if you agree even partually with how I feel.
http://www.jeffchapman.us/
http://www.savejekyllisland.org/
http://www.myspace.com/savejekyll
Two nights ago, I again had the pleasure of driving along Beachview Dr. on Jekyll Island. I saw the full moon reflected on the ocean with only palm tress and scrub covered dunes as a border. I felt like I was in God’s front yard!! No one - not the JIA - or any developer - has the right to take this away from the people of Georgia.
We who care for the people’s park should be strongly supporting Senator Chapman.
Thank you for this excellent piece. The public and senators, who even have the law on our side, should not be having to struggle this hard to protect our environment and rare, beautiful places from private interests. Enough of the greed already.
I thank you also for this pod cast and your comments. I especially like the follow the money theme. I posted a comment months ago on the Linger Longer website in the same vain citing the “All the President’s Men” qupte from deep throat to follow the money. I asked how much Linger Longer or the Reynolds family has donated to Gov Perdue and prommised the JIA Board Members. This like my other comments to Linger Longer has gone unanswered.
Together, Linger Longer and the JIA are poised to commit massive destructive impact on Georgia’s state-owned island, beloved by native Georgians and visitors from far and near.
Your complex would limit public access to the best Jekyll beaches. If you owned Jekyll, maybe…but you don’t. Jekyll, like the Mississippi River Promenade, was set aside for the people.
The mayor of Memphis wants to develop prime riverfront land given to the people of Memphis by the founders. A grassroots group is successfully fighting this land grab. You’d be surprised what people can do when they come together. And come together we will if you take our beaches and turn them into luxury condos for the wealthy.
We have many luxury hotels and condominiums in this area already. To list a few, we have The Cloister, The Jekyll Island Club, The King and Prince. Liberty Harbor will provide an enormous amount of condominiums, hotel rooms and shopping. Our Glynn County Board of Commissioners won’t rest until every square inch of St. Simons is developed and paved over. Georgia’s fragile coastal ecology is under siege by every politician except Jeff Chapman.
Nothing less than the existence of the great loggerhead turtles, shore birds, and the future of the Georgia coast itself is in your hands. So far, the score is people: 98, wildlife: 2, as far as I can tell. Be smarter than your predecessors. Scale it down…please! Move it back away from the dunes and the public beach. Respect the environment. If you don’t, we, the people of Georgia, will fight you for years to come. I urge everyone to support Senator Chapman in his resolution to keep Jekyll Island for the people of Georgia at http://www.jeffchapman.us.
Congratulations are due to Mr. Wilson on doing a wonderful job of showing Georgians and other interested people what is at stake in the Jekyll development controversy. Senator Chapman and David Egan are to be commended for their courageous initiatives to protect Jekyll Island. In contrast, Linger Longer, JIA, and all the politicians who support development on this state treasure deserve to be exposed for their purely mercenary motives and their disservice to the people of Georgia. Mr. Wilson rightly suggests that the reason JIA and many politicians want to use Jekyll Island to pour money into the hands of developers is because much of it filters right back into the pockets of politicians, from the governor down to those state representatives who support development, and including those appointed on the JIA board who support development. Mr. Wilson is also right that JIA’s and the politicians’ blatant lack of concern for the wishes of Georgians represents a serious breach of public trust. The people of Georgia (as well as out-of-state visitors) want this beautiful State Park to stay the way it is (other than modest revitalization of some hotels). It is a state treasure simply because it is so unspoiled and natural, a unique and beautiful place that visitors cherish, just the way it is. Let us all be thankful for what Jekyll offers and do all we can to protect it for posterity.