Sen. Jeff Chapman on what Jekyll Island needs
August 1, 2008 at 9:39 am by Thomas Wheatley in NewsState Sen. Jeff Chapman, R-Brunswick, fought hard and fast against members of his own party during the most recent legislative session to protect Jekyll Island, the state park and getaway.
The senator earned an Arnie award because he stood up to the powers that be during the legislative session and voiced the wishes of not only his constituents, but those around the state who protested the proposed Linger Longer development that critics said would’ve blocked public access to the beach and made the longtime vacation spot too expensive for the average Georgian.
Chapman released an editorial through the Senate Press Office that, because of space constraints, we may not be able to publish in next week’s print edition of CL. I’m posting the entire letter after the jump.
It’s a good read from a lawmaker, who along with several other legislators such as state Reps. Debbie Buckner, D-Junction City, and Stephanie Stuckey-Benfield, D-Decatur, pushed to preserve the state park.
Public Land for Private Profit?
By State Sen. Jeff Chapman
As State Senator for District 3, the rebuilding of Jekyll Island State Park has been an issue of great interest for me. While I am an avid supporter of responsible reconstruction of this wonderful public asset, I have been troubled by the sizable gap between the general public’s vision of an improved Jekyll and the vision put forward by the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) and its private partner, Linger Longer Communities (LLC).
Where most folks envision a park rejuvenated by new and reasonably-priced oceanfront hotels, a modern convention center/hotel complex, an enhanced retail center and improved public facilities, the JIA and LLC have been pushing the idea that Jekyll must have—in addition to hotel and convention center redevelopment—a beachside town center consisting of high-end condos, time-shares and a “commercial hub.”
There is no need now to rehash the arguments offered in support of these competing visions, but given the fact that LLC is about to release its revised town center plan, the time is appropriate to offer a few thoughts on how to move forward in pursuit of a better Jekyll Island State Park.
First, those who have been pushing big-time development for Jekyll must stop mislabeling their critics as people who “don’t want anything changed on the island” and must stop misrepresenting them as just “a handful of Jekyll residents.” If we can drop the rhetoric and absurd exaggerations and accept the fact that the vast majority of Jekyll’s visitors want to see their state park improved, then productive dialogue toward a better Jekyll may take place.
Second, the views of Jekyll’s visitors should help determine the type and location of any development that takes place within their state park beyond the reconstruction of those oceanfront hotels that have been allowed to fall into disrepair. After all, Jekyll is public land—Georgians deserve to have a voice in shaping the future of a park that belongs to them.
Third, for nearly a year now, Georgians by the thousands have been saying that they do not want to lose Jekyll’s currently unobstructed public beach to a condominium/time-share community. If this prized public land is to serve its intended purpose, the revised Linger Longer project needs to move away from the original condo-dense concept and toward a plan that allows for a modern convention center, a convention center hotel and a rebuilt shopping area.
Fourth, there must be a clear estimate of how park visitation and JIA revenues will benefit from the reconstruction of Jekyll’s oceanfront hotels that will take place in the next few years—projects which stand to double the current number of hotel rooms and condominiums on the island. With this estimate in hand, the JIA can better determine if a town center is needed at all, and if so, what it should include.
Within the next few weeks, LLC’s revised town center plan will be known, and we will then see if the JIA and LLC have listened to what the public has been saying.
As we wait for that announcement, I would like to reaffirm my belief that Jekyll’s redevelopment should be based upon the people’s vision of the future of their public land. If public opinion is heeded by planners, then the door will be open for a balanced reconstruction program that honors Jekyll’s tradition as a state park set aside for the enjoyment of all Georgians, including the least privileged among us. In this way, Jekyll can be restored to its heyday without compromising the park’s traditional character and without bumping the little guy off his public bench.
Sen. Jeff Chapman represents the 3rd Senate District which includes Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn and McIntosh counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0045 or by e-mail at jeff(dot)chapman(at)senate(dot)ga(dot)gov
August 1st, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Senator Chapman’s fourth point is a critical one. Has the JIA determined how much revenue the new hotels will bring in and how that estimate figures against realistic needs for Jekyll Island State Park? The JIA should be held accountable to the public on this subject before they undertake ANY NEW development. I have followed this issue carefully and have heard estimates from the JIA a few years ago that they have 20 million dollars in “project/capital improvement needs,” recently the figure jumped to 50 million and the latest figure is 70 million. These project needs should be itemized, substantiated, prioritized, and made public.
I would like to add a thank you to Creative Loafing for making Senator Chapman’s letter available. I hope you are able to include it in your print version.
August 1st, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I just love Sen. Chapmans’s last line where he refers to the need to make sure the litle guy doesn’t get bumped off his public bench in a Georgia state park. I’m always suspicius of the motives of developers who, in trying to do a ‘good deed’ for a state park by building half-million dollar condos on public land, speak about their commitment to a conservation ethic and their desire to make the land they are profitting from (in this case, Jekyll Island State Park) a model conservation community. We have so many model communities built by green-speaking developers that I doubt if there are any models left to be invented. I think we all be happier if developers would just put their cards on the tabel up front and say look, we need to make “x” amount of profit on this deal, here’s what we’re prepared to fofrer – take it or leave it. insted we get rivate contrcrtors tryign to sell the public on their commitment to doing the right thing on public land. Just wht turnip truck do these guys think we fell off anyway??
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:38 am
How refreshing and sadly rare for an elected official to have the integrity and grit to protect the public and public assets from private interests, rather than be bought out by those interests. A very sane and reasonable statement on Jekyll’s needs. Of course, the ecological issues have not even been touched on here.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 am
I am in complete agreement with the ideas put forth by Senator Chapman, who has consistently honored the people of District 3 with his forthright and honest approach to government. Above all, Chapman believes that the people’s rights must be protected, and his defense of Jekyll Island State Park as the “people’s park” is a perfect example. Since Linger Longer announced its initial plan, the company has invited comments via its website, http://www.rediscoverjekyll.com. The company has stated on numerous occasions that the vast majority of the comments it has received have been positive and constructive, and that only a handful of opponents have found fault with it, although none of the comments posted through the website have ever been made available for public scrutiny, to my knowledge. In addition, the first plan was to have been on display across the state of Georgia, when in fact the actual mock-up rarely, if ever, left Jekyll Island, and the powerpoint-and-and-sales-pitch style public forums were held only on Jekyll Island, in St. Mary’s, in Augusta, and in Atlanta, primarily during working hours. Reports from those forums suggested that most in attendance were not in favor of the plan. When the new Linger Longer plan is unveiled, it should be justified by accurate visitation figures, backed by reliable feasibility, density and impact studies, and supported by Jekyll Island visitors and the citizens of Georgia. This is to say that the revised plan should be made available to a much more widespread number of Georgia citizens representing all regions of the state, and that the planners must demonstrate that the revised plan reflects the will of the people who have commented via the Linger Longer website as well as those who have commented on the Jekyll Island revitalization issue via the website and surveys of the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island, http://www.savejekyllisland.org, since those surveyed on that website over the past two years actually are Jekyll Island visitors. This might sound extreme, were it not for the significant changes to the Island that revitalization will surely bring, and were it not for the aura of suspicion brought upon itself by the Jekyll Island Authority throughout the entire process of private partner selection and revitalization planning. Thanks to Creative Loafing for printing this press release, and congratulations to the people of District 3 for re-electing Senator Chapman, a real statesman who represents the best interests of his constituents, and of all Georgians.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:52 am
Slow and measured, considered and intelligent…this should be our guidance as we move forward in re-visioning Jekyll. Sen. Chapman speaks for many Georgians in advocating this approach. Replacing open space and beauty with buildings is a serious and irrevocable action.
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:00 am
Senator Chapman’s comments are well reasoned and balanced. Too bad we don’t have more principled and honest representatives in government. HWe hope he runs for governor!
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:10 am
Jekyll Island is a STATE PARK. That should mean something in terms of what is allowed to take place on property that belongs to the people of Georgia. It doesn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\’t mean anything, clearly, to the Governor and his friends, but thank goodness it does to Senator Chapman. Let\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\’s hope his excellent points continue to slow the greedy developers down!
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Like thousands of people in Georgia and elsewhere, I share Senator Chapman’s vision for Jekyll Island. But the biggest obstacle to realizing that vision is the decision that the Administration made to resort to a public/private “partnership” for the revitalization effort. Public/private partnerships are hardly ever real partnerships because the private sector companies involved have most of the bargaining power. In this case, the Jekyll Island Authority has no power to compel its private “partners” to accept a less favorable rate of return on their investment than they could get anywhere else. That’s what Linger Longer, Trammell Crow and the rest of the developers involved would have to be willing to do in order to meet the mandates that Georgia law imposes on Jekyll Island operations, in particular the requirement that the island be available to people of average income. Since private development companies aren’t charities, non-profit corporations or public service organizations, but profit-making businesses, it’s naïve and unreasonable to expect them to do on Jekyll Island what they would do anywhere else, which is put in development that gives them the best return on their investment they can extract from it. If the state tries to deny them the opportunity to do that, they can just walk. So much for partnership.
The problem here is that Jekyll Island, as has been pointed out countless times, is public land dedicated to a public purpose. But there’s absolutely no reason to think that the business interests of private development companies will coincide with Jekyll Island’s public purposes. The best way to have assured that Jekyll Island’s revitalization would be done in a way that supported its public purposes is for it to have been financed with public funds. But there was little chance of that in a political climate that makes dogmas out of the belief that just about everything government does is bungled and just about everything the private sector does is wonderful. As long as so many Georgians cling to that belief, then they can look forward to getting the Jekyll Island they deserve, in spite of the best efforts of Senator Chapman and others to give them something better than that.
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:59 pm
In 1996 the Georgia Legislature enacted a law that required the Jekyll Island Authority, in it’s role of guardian and overseer of a unique and precious public asset–Jekyll Island State Park–to come up with a Master Plan for the conservation and stewardship of the island. This document was intended to be legally controlling on the issue of what can and cannot be built on the island. It is required by Georgia law that the Jekyll Island Authority adhere to this Master Plan until/unless it is formally and legally amended. It was not intended to be changed or modified at the whim of politicians and developers, but only after legally mandated notice, hearings and extensive public input. It’s purpose was most certainly to protect the island for all future generations.
The Master Plan for Jekyll Island State Park makes no provision for a 63 acre beachside development entailing hundreds of high-end condos and time shares. Such an enormous development will utterly and irrevocably change the island forever. The idea of assigning a private developer “partner” to build out this project and many others on the island, and to reap huge financial reward in the process, was also hatched without necessary and required public input.
It is time for our Georgia political leadership to stop this process in it’s tracks, and allow the public to have it’s say in a rational, structured, accessible and fair forum, as required by law, before signing any contract with Linger Longer as a “private partner” and before embarking on any new construction not clearly and unequivocally called for in the Master Plan for Jekyll Island State Park.
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:41 am
congratulations to senator chapman on his recent, well deserved election results, and a thank you to creative loafing for including senator chapman’s article on what jekyll island needs. the new hotels currently under construction on jekyll should provide new lodging and resturants, and their new statistics should be taken into consideration when future plans for this island are made, PRIOR to any LLC new condominium construction. since jekyll island belongs to ALL georgians, it will be interesting to see how and how much of jekyll is being changed when the “new” LLC plan is offered, along with the permanent impact on the golf courses, beach, and wetlands. upgrades and building in the current footprints, yes, as designed in the original plans for jekyll. since money seems to be the main object, i fear for the future of this exceptional island, and all georgians / visitors will be the losers.
August 3rd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Senator Chapman has clearly demonstrated that he supports the interests of Georgia’s “little guy”. His reasoned approach to the
“Revitalization” has brought angry criticism from the developer-backing JIA board (Senator Boshears excepted), who cast any negative comments about the original Linger Longer proposal as petty assertions by JI residents. The truth of the matter is that thousands of non-resident Georgians have voiced their opinion, and it’s not favorable to hundreds of condos and many new massive hotels.
August 3rd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Senator Chapman has voiced opinions of the public very clearly in this article. The long-time visitors of this pristine destination are in support of improvements of the island, but not at the expense of changing the character of the island. Huge development, time shares and high end hotel establishments are not why people visit the island. Jeff, we appreciate your support and continued push to get the public’s true opinion heard!
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Linger Longer Communities has powerful supporters, starting with our Governor. They and most of the Jekyll Island Authority Board, appointed by the Governor, would like people to believe LLC’s beach village development is exactly what Jekyll Island needs for its revitalization.
I, and many others, believe their development, which will claim acreage between Jekyll Island’s beach and Historic District, does not belong in a “State Park”. And… is not needed.
We believe in the revitalization that is taking place in the areas that have previously been developed, and, keeping the uniqueness of Jekyll Island for future generations.
We also believe that the Convention Center needs revitalization with the convenience of an attached hotel, and, that the Shopping Center needs replacing. Before Linger Longer Communities became involved the Jekyll Island Authority had plans for both……in the same areas they are now located. What happened???
Senator Chapman believes Georgians deserve to have a voice in shaping the future of a park that belongs to them, and, that Jekyll’s redevelopment should be based upon the people’s vision of the future of their public land.
At the April 14, 2008 Jekyll Island Authority Board meeting Chairman Ben Porter (appointed by Governor Perdue) was asked if they would consider a referendum so the people of Georgia can vote on this issue.
Chairman Porter made it very clear that there will be no referendum.
According to Chairman Porter, the people of Georgia will not be given the chance to vote on the future of their land.
The future of Jekyll Island remains in the hands of some very powerful people.
Everyone who owns Jekyll Island must be heard from before it’s too late.
Contact all leading Republicans and Democrats. Visit http://www.legis.state.ga.us to determine how to contact your legislators.
Ask them to work with Senator Chapman to protect this last undeveloped area near or on your State Park’s beach. They should be protecting, with legislation, this entire area for future generations of Georgians.
Hopefully, they will listen and remember that their future, as your various representatives, also remains in the hands of some very powerful people.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Just as the State is barred from taking private property under eminent domain and selling it to private developers, the Governor appointed Jekyll Island Authority should be barred from taking State Park property (worth millions of dollars per acre) and leasing it to private developers without legislative approval. The current Jekyll Island Authority has shown very questionable business judgment in leasing valuable oceanfront property to private developers.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:05 am
As a Canadian visitor to JI for the past 15 years I congratulate Sen.Chapman for his courage in standing up for the \\
August 4th, 2008 at 11:14 am
As a Canadian visitor to JI for the past 15 years I congratulate Sen Chapman for his courage in standing up for the “little guy’s” against the the folks who plan to turn a virtually unique natural paradise into a preserve for the rich. Georgia is truly blessed to have a senator will to risk his political career to make a principled stand on this important issue.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Senator Chapman\\\’s editorial is brilliant. The editorial covers so many aspects of what is going on with the JIA, LLC, and the people of Georgia. Senator Chapman believes in doing the right thing. He is an honorable man–and I know that he will do everything that he can to represent the people of Georgia in our efforts to save our island. Thank you–Senator Chapman knowing you has been a blessing in my life.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
As Senator Chapman notes, we will soon see how much the JIA and LLC listened to citizen input on the issue of re-vitalization. I’m not holding my breath since they have been doing their best to mislabel and demonize critics who have spoken out since the beginning, and LLC refuses to make public their own so-called citizen surveys. They still don’t get it: the kind of people who care passionately about Jekyll are not going to sit down, be quiet, and go away.
Thank you Senator Chapman for understanding how much this piece of public property means to so many of us.
August 7th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I sincerely thank Senator
Chapman for his “true blue” convictions in protecting the island from inappropriate development. The Jekyll Island Authority is literally acting on behalf of Gov. Perdue’s whims for his own selfish vision of what should occupy the small barrier island. It is certainly time for change and it is fitting that the honest Senator Chapman would be a candidate in the next election, as he actually take representation of Georgians seriously.