Glynn County hears capital project update; Coast Guard Beach, Fire Station 9 and sidewalks highlighted

Glynn County commissioners on March 17 received a comprehensive capital projects briefing that detailed beach facility improvements, a new fire station, several sidewalk and drainage efforts, and preliminary work on bridges and traffic corridors.

Jason Hagen, program director, led the presentation and said the Ocean Boulevard drainage project on St. Simons Island is in design and will replace three culverts, add headwalls, tide gates and new inlets. "We think we've got three culverts that we'll need to have replaced," Hagen said, and he estimated "about $450,000" has been allocated for that work. Hagen said the project is currently in the design and information‑collection phase.

Hagen described a Selden Park trail and sidewalk project as a 5,000‑linear‑foot, 8‑foot‑wide trail with interpretive signage that began in February and is expected to finish in summer 2026. Commissioners asked whether the trail sits entirely inside the park and whether distance markers would be added; Hagen replied the route is within the park, parking will remain as before, and mileage or interpretive signage could be added.

Hagen reported completion of a Buckingham Terrace sidewalk — about 750 linear feet of new 6‑foot sidewalk — and described a 2,000–2,500 linear foot sidewalk near the mall that local civic groups helped clean and that staff say will keep pedestrians off the roadway.

On the coast project, Hagen showed renderings and said work at the Coast Guard Beach site includes parking lot reconstruction, a new restroom and lifeguard facility that will house lifeguards and a life‑saving tower. He told the commission the project secured matching funds from state sources and the Department of Natural Resources: "We've got the million for the life saving tower and then three million for the facility," Hagen said. Parking‑lot work is expected to be done in May with the building targeted for completion in January 2027.

Hagen also outlined Fire Station 9 at Chapel Crossing and Highway 17, saying property had been acquired and a groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for March 27, with an expected early‑2027 completion. Chief Penny, who has worked with the design team, said the new station should shorten response times for homes along Highway 17 and help sustain an ISO rating the county currently maintains.

Staff described a planned public safety multi‑use facility to house an emergency operations center, 911 and IT/data functions; that project is in design with construction targeted for fall 2026. Old Jessup Road work should widen narrow sections, add stormwater infrastructure and sidewalks; staff aim to start construction in May 2026 once utility pole relocations are completed. The long‑planned St. Simons Gateway is in design with hoped‑for design completion by summer 2026.

On the Perry Lane bridge, Hagen said staff issued an RFP to get a design on the shelf ahead of available funding because the structure likely needs widening. When a participant asked whether a substructure inspection had been done, a Georgia Department of Transportation representative said GDOT inspects bridges every two years and that, given the desire to widen the crossing, staff anticipate a full bridge replacement subject to final engineering analysis.

Commissioners thanked staff and asked for district‑specific sidewalk timelines; Hagen said staff and GIS would return with details. Procedurally, the commission voted to defer agenda item two to a future work session on a motion by Commissioner Clark and a second by Commissioner Sweat. The commission later voted to adjourn.

Next steps for the projects discussed include follow‑up reports from staff, the March 27 groundbreaking for Fire Station 9 and continuing design and permitting work for the larger transportation and public safety projects.