Project Background:

The Jekyll Island Historical Power Plant was once the power source for the entire Jekyll Island Club, a private resort 

retreat for many of America’s wealthiest families including the Rockefellers, Morgans, Macys, Vanderbilts, and Goodyears 

during the late 1800s through the 1940s. But with the onset of the Great Depression and World War II, the Club began 

to decline and ultimately shut down resulting in the purchase of the entire island by the State of Georgia on October 7, 

1947. The Jekyll Island Foundation was eventually established in 2000 to assist with the preservation of the historical 

buildings on the Island, including the asbestos and lead contaminated Jekyll Island Historical Power Plant, the latest of 28 

structures in Jekyll Island’s National Historic Landmark District to undergo cleanup and renovation.

key accomPlishments:

•	 Assessed, cleaned up, and redeveloped the historic site into a 

state-of-the-art sea turtle rehabilitation center.

•	 Cleaned up asbestos and lead that were contaminating the 

historic structure.

•	 Leveraged $2.6 million toward cleanup and redevelopment efforts. 

•	 Leveraged 9 full-time positions, 8 part-time positions, 20 interns 

(4 months per internship), and 50 – 100 volunteers.

outcome: 

Cleanup of the Jekyll Island Historical Power Plant was completed in August 2006. After cleanup, the Power Plant was 

outfitted with the most recent technology, special architectural features, and advanced exhibit design techniques to create 

a thoroughly modern and inviting facility for sea turtle rehabilitation. The state-of-the-art Georgia Sea Turtle Center 

opened in the spring of 2007 and is dedicated to the rehabilitation of ill and injured sea turtles rescued off the coast of 

Georgia and surrounding states, sea turtle research, and education of the public. The Center features educational exhibits; 

artistic murals depicting the turtles’ journey; hands-on, interactive exhibits and activities for children and adults; state-ofthe-art rehabilitation, medical, x-ray, and surgical areas; an information center; and a gift shop. 

address: 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, GA 31527

ProPerty size: 0.41 acres

Former use: Power Plant

current use: Georgia Sea Turtle Center

brownfields at-a-glance

GEORGIA SEA TURTLE CENTER Jekyll Island, GA 

TBA and Section 128(a) State and Tribal Grants

EPA-560-F-10-215 

July 2010

ePa grant reciPient: Project Partners:

The Georgia Department of Natural 

Resources utilized $200,000 in EPA 

Brownfields Section 128(a) State & 

Tribal funding to conduct cleanup 

activities. In addition, EPA provided 

$81,000 in Targeted Brownfields 

Assessment funding.

Robert W. Woodruff Foundation; Georgia 

Department of Natural Resources (Coastal 

Resources Division, Environmental Protection 

Division, and State Wildlife Division); Georgia State 

Legislature for Historic District Improvements; 

Jekyll Island Authority; Jekyll Island Foundation; and 

numerous other organizations and individuals.

For additional data and geographic information for this and 

other Brownfields Grants, please visit EPA’s Cleanups in 

My Community: http://iaspub.epa.gov/Cleanups/

Former Power Plant Gets New Energy from Marine Wildlife

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit the EPA Brownfields Web site at http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/ or call EPA Region 4 at (404) 562-8866 

Aerial view of The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, after renovation.

Photo Courtesy of Jekyll Island Authority