JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. (Jan. 25, 2010) - C. Jones Hooks, executive director of the Jekyll Island Authority, couldn't be more right when he says Jekyll Island needs a full-service hotel as part of the island's redevelopment. He told me as much during lunch at a local island eatery last week, saying attracting a developer to build a full-service is Priority No. 1.
You see, Jekyll Island will get a new 128,000-square-foot convention center in 2012. And it needs a full-service hotel to open around the same time. People who attend conventions want a choice of hotels ranging from economy to full-service, and not offering a full-service hotel could cost the island some business.
(The island does have a brand-new Hampton Inn & Suites Resort, shown in photo below, that offers many services and will nicely meet the needs of future conventioneers. But Hampton Inns typically are categorized as limited-service hotels.)
I met with Hooks, whom I worked with when I was reporter at The Albany Herald, just before the Jekyll Island Authority kicked off its Developer's Day event designed to gauge interest in building on the island. It was held about a month after the authority suspended its development agreement with Mercer Reynolds and his company, Linger Longer Communities. (Note, while at Edelman, I briefly represented Linger Longer at Jekyll Island.)
Linger Longer's redevelopment plans drew the ire of local residents, who argued that contract terms were too favorable for the developer. With Reynolds' company no longer lingering, the Jekyll Island Authority has another chance. Based on the attendance at Developer's Day, when some 70 developers from 50 companies attended, interest is high despite the tough commercial real estate climate.
"Prospective developers like Jekyll Island Authority's plans," read the headline of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's story about Developer's Day. The headline was a win for Hooks and the authority. Most previous articles in the AJC, Georgia's most-influential daily, were perceived as negative by JIA.
Tom Powers of Peachtree Real Estate Advisors told the Florida Times-Union that Jekyll Island has enough positives, such as the beach, to pique the interest of developers. Powers said the current real estate market is challenging but that it's time to look ahead.
Now it's up to Hooks and the Jekyll Island Authority to work to sign developers and a hotel flag. Having witnessed Hooks' work in helping saving the Marine base in Albany more than 15 years ago, I'm betting he succeeds again.
The authority expects to issue its first request for proposals next month. A second RFP is expected to be issued to retail developers interested in replacing the aging strip center near the existing convention center that will be replaced by the new facility.
On more note: Jekyll Island will replace its lone gas station, which has closed, with a new convenience center and Dairy Queen.
Recent Comments