Newspaper Page Text
Page 6, September 23, 2019, The Islander
SPLOST list
Continued from Page 1
after the year it is approved by the
voters.
The SPLOST 2020 subject came
up during the BOC’s work session
last week (Sept. 17) and was briefly
discussed.
County Manager Alan Ours gave
the BOC a copy of a lengthy list of
some 83 projects that could potentially
be on a SPLOST ballot.
Naturally, the list, which was put
together by county department heads,
is not what will end up on the final bal
lot. It is only a starting point for dis
cussion for the BOC and will be much
shorter when it gets to the referendum.
The list was broken down into sev
eral categories including road and
resurfacing projects; traffic projects;
drainage projects; sidewalk projects;
vertical construction; recreation proj
ects; bridge; Information Technology
and shoreline projects.
With two exceptions, the commis
sion avoided vertical projects on the
last SPLOST (2016) focusing on infra
structure, and while this list has 11
vertical projects, many will likely not
make the final cut.
An addition to the County Court
house is probably the most significant
project on the vertical projects portion
of the list.
Glynn County Senior Superior
Court Judge Stephen Scarlett and
Judge Stephen Kelley appeared at a
BOC work session several months ago
to express their concerns about the al
most 30 year old courthouse.
The concerns were with overcrowd
ing and the need to upgrade security.
They said the issues were not criti
cal yet, but would be at some point
in the future. They believe it is time
to start looking for a solution instead
of waiting until the situation is criti
cal, because as the county continues
to grow, the need for the court system
also will continue to grow.
The BOC’s response, at the request
of Judges Scarlett and Kelley, was to
appoint a committee of experts to work
with the judges on a solution. That
work is ongoing, but at a recent meet
ing the committee concurred with the
judges that their concerns are valid
and something needs to be done.
The courthouse would likely be a
high dollar project and the early dis
cussions included the possibility of
breaking the costs up by doing the
project in phases.
A final decision on the courthouse
project has not been made as yet.
Other possible projects on the ‘ver
tical construction’ portion of the pro
posed SPLOST 2017 list include:
• fire station upgrades;
• a vehicle and equipment wash;
• a joint facility containing a train
ing facility, EMA facility, a secondary
911 site, a training tower, a class A
burning building and a range for all
law enforcement in the area;
• upgrades to the Public Safety
building and
• several building upgrades or re
placements at the Blythe Island Re
gional park.
The list of sidewalk projects is the
next lengthiest at 18. They range from
north and south St. Simons to Hwy. 17,
the Southport Parkway and the Gold
en Isles Parkway on the mainland.
It also includes crossings from
neighborhoods on the west side of
Frederica Rd. to the sidewalk on the
east side.
Drainage projects, also county-wide
take up another 18 spots on the list.
These will likely be a priority again as
they were on SPLOST 2016.
The 11 road and resurfacing proj
ects are all on the mainland and in
clude the reconstruction of Old Jesup
Rd. from Community Rd. to Crispen
Blvd. This is an approximately 4 mile
stretch of heavily traveled, single lane
road. Several intersection improve
ments have been made along Old Je
sup Rd. over the years that have great
ly helped the flow of traffic.
This list also includes the second
phase of paving Pennick Rd.
There are 7 traffic projects on the
list, two on the mainland, four on St.
Simons and one being a traffic im
provements study for St. Simons.
The St. Simons projects also include
traffic improvements at the Gateway
onto the island.
There are 12 recreation projects
listed that, along with upgrades to the
Fun Zone swimming pool and the vil
lage pier on St. Simons, includes the
Coast Guard Station Beach master
plan.
There have been two master plans
for the Coast Guard Station beach
parking lot. The first was done sever
al years ago by local architect Robert
Ussery at the request of the BOC. The
BOC held a number of town hall meet
ings to discuss this project and then
abandoned it due to public opposition.
This original plan basically left the
parking lot with the same footprint but
corrected the drainage problems, got
rid of the lime rock paving and added
some landscaping.
More recently the Coastal Georgia
Historical Society, in conjunction with
their new museum in the former Coast
Guard Station, had a second, much
more extensive, master plan done for
the beach parking lot.
No cost estimates were ever given
for this new master plan, nor was
there any discussion about who would
pay for it’s construction, but it is the
one listed on the SPLOST 2020 list.
The recreation list also includes a
new public boat ramp and improved
parking at Village Creek on St. Si
mons. There was a Dept, of Natural
Resources grant available at one time
for this project, but it never got off the
ground due to public opposition to a
land swap with the former Village
Creek owners.
There is also new playground equip
ment for a number of mainland parks
on the list along with a number of
improvements at Blythe Island Re
gional Park.
Rounding out the list are replace
ment bridges for Fancy Bluff and Post
Road; and Information Technology
Turn to Page 9
SPLOST list
‘ vfS -
Living on St. Simons, Ed Kellis has become a neighbor
and professional that you can trust. With more
than 25 years floor covering experience, Ed Kellis is
Brunswick Floors expert for the islands. Call Ed today
at 638-9119 or 230-4166 for a free in-home estimate.
Brunswick • St. Simons • Kingsland
Need culinary inspiration?
Meet your new secret weapon from
Gourmet Fermented Honey Sauce - Organic Jalapeno
For cooking, sauteing, simmering, smothering, or
dipping your favorite foods.
Marinade: Use sauce on its oum or mixed i
with vinegar or lemon juice, to tenderize I
and marinate proteins and veggies.
Stir Fry: Mix with soy sauce and ginger
for the perfect Asian glaze; mix with your
favorite Mexican seasonings to beef up
taco night.
Finishing Sauce: Drizzle sauce over
finished dish for added flavor and organic
nutrients.
Try This! Toss cooked brussels sprouts in
our organic garlic sauce with pine nuts
and bacon.
Soup Base: Add honey sauce to soup,
stew, or chili base for a boost of flavor and
organic nutrients.
Salad Dressing: Emulsify and mix with
aA
ANYA’S
APOTHEKERE
UTYa's AfOTtfim*
FERMENTED
HONEY SAUCE
K
•-«
oil and spices to create a healthier vinaigrette option.
Charcuterie Board: Dip or drizzle over favorite cheeses, cured meats, and dried fruits.
Savory Breads & Cornbread: Mix into favorite savory doughs or spread onto freshly
baked breads for a warm, sweet treat.
Butter: Soften butter and mix with sauce for a gourmet touch.
Cocktails: Use our organic jalapeno sauce in place of simple syrup or agave to sweeten
and add flavor to your favorite drinks and cocktails.
€
.Now Celebrating Our 32nd Year! \
'DlLIRMIEir^
DANiirpy io
I THE STORE FOR CREATIVE COOKS
912.638.9545
2465 Demere Road
St. Simons Island, GA
Not all hearing loss requires a hearing aid. If you thinkyou are experiencing
hearing loss, see Southeast Georgia's only licensed Doctors of Audiology.
we went to a hearing doctor.
Trust the Doctors at Advanced Hearing & Balance Center for:
- Functional Communication Assessments
-Vestibular Testing
- Hearing Aid Fittings
-Trial Options Available
Make an Appointment:
(912) 267-1569
Physician-Referred
ADVANCED
HEARING & BALANCE CENTER
Southeast Georgia Health System, Brunswick Campus
3025 Shrine Rd, Suite 490, Brunswick, GA 31520
