Enhancements to Fundamental Infrastructure

Note. All of these priorities are subject to change based on the damage caused by Hurricane Michael.

The goal of the Civic Club's SGI 2025 Vision is to identify improvements to the island that will address our crowded and deteriorating infrastructure while preserving our unique character.

​ Sidewalks and Walkability

Our island entrance leading to the Lighthouse is our most attractive man-made improvement.  With the addition of appealing landscaping, sidewalks, and crosswalks, the area will be the heart of our more walkable and pedestrian-friendly Business District.  This illustration indicates how modest improvements will retain the character of our community while enhancing the livability of the island.

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Resurfacing Roadways and Mitigating Flooding

Few would argue that mending deteriorating roadways and eliminating growing flooding problems is fundamental to any plan for improvements here.  With more than 250,000 people driving through our island every year to visit the State Park, the increasing pressure of traffic will make our problems worse. We want to approach the improvement of our Business District roadways in logical steps, addressing safety, efficiency, and appearance. Proper drainage—even on this barrier island—can be accomplished with proper engineering and federal RESTORE funds can help with stormwater management and flooding controls. The island Business District needs better roadways and a plan for ongoing maintenance.

 Grants to the county to address our badly needed island infrastructure improvements through quality planning and execution will pay big dividends in the quality of life for visitors and residents.

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Mitigating Erosion on Franklin Boulevard

An area of the Causeway, close to the western base of the beautiful Bryant Patton SGI Bridge, has been changing as all coastlines do. The erosion in this region has been alternately abated and ignored.  A proposed remedy for the erosion and a protection for existing palms is the creation of a living shoreline to support this critical land.

Difficult to see from a moving vehicle (see aerial photo above), the western causeway is best viewed on foot. At that approach, the erosion, potential loss of land, trees, and protection for our bridge, is obvious.

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Revised Wastewater Study

One of the island’s oldest controversies is the debate over shared waste water systems and  aerobic systems. Some islanders insist that some current businesses are operating with less than ideal systems that pose a real danger to the island’s environment and the Bay. Scientists generally agree today that circumstances and local conditions must dictate the best system or combination of systems for an area, but the critical factor in any successful aerobic or anaerobic operation is ongoing, adequate maintenance, backed up by ongoing, quality inspections and code enforcement.

The best next step is to authorize a thorough independent study that examines all aspects of this issue, paid for by Oil Spill Funds. This review will assess current problems, make recommendations for enforcement, and identify solutions uniquely suited for St George Island and Franklin County—solutions that will protect our island from the growth in density that we all fear while protecting our waters, fragile ecosystems, and personal health for future generations.

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