Hundreds of residents turned out in force to voice their concerns over a plan to redevelop Jekyll Island yesterday. The plans call for a thousand new hotel and condo units, a new convention center, new retail outlets and much more at a state-run park that officials want to upscale.
At the first public hearing on Jekyll Island yesterday, the response was overwhelmingly negative. Missy Brandt of Darien said, she's concerned about affordability. "Even at $139 or $99 a night, to stay at the beach would not be affordable," she said.
Bonnie Newell of Jekyll Island said, her main concern is endangered sea turtles. "They said they wanted to be a model of conservation. If you're a model of conservation, you don't build on the beach," she said.
Brunswick State Senator Jeff Chapman questioned whether the developer should get an $84 million state subsidy. "To ask Georgians to subsidize that infrastructure cost is totally unnecesary," he said.
Development company officials said, the plan is a work in progress and nothing is set in stone. More public comment sessions will be held in Augusta and Atlanta.
At the first public hearing on Jekyll Island yesterday, the response was overwhelmingly negative. Missy Brandt of Darien said, she's concerned about affordability. "Even at $139 or $99 a night, to stay at the beach would not be affordable," she said.
Bonnie Newell of Jekyll Island said, her main concern is endangered sea turtles. "They said they wanted to be a model of conservation. If you're a model of conservation, you don't build on the beach," she said.
Brunswick State Senator Jeff Chapman questioned whether the developer should get an $84 million state subsidy. "To ask Georgians to subsidize that infrastructure cost is totally unnecesary," he said.
Development company officials said, the plan is a work in progress and nothing is set in stone. More public comment sessions will be held in Augusta and Atlanta.
