Jekyll beach development halted

The company chosen to re-develop Jekyll island state park, Linger Longer, decided not to build condos on a public beach area. Conservation groups had opposed the idea and had tried to pass legislation to block it.

That failed, but people started a lobbying effort flooding lawmakers with calls and e-mails in protest.

Today the company said it would not longer build on the beach and legislation was not necessary. The Jeckyll island authority now plans to turn the area north of the convention center into a green space.

It is currently a parking lot. Republican Senator Jeff Chapman who tried but failed to protect the beach by law called the company's move a win for the people and credited their lobbying effort.