How to solve the Tybee overcrowding issue? (Atlanta, Savannah: renters, homes)

[gentlearts]

Let’s say you can wave a magic wand and money is no object. If you could solve the problems of the over-visited Tybee Beach, what would you do?

Orange Crush is a big problem, but chronic over crowding, and getting in and out on one road, is an issue all summer.

[otterhere]

I saw some video on and heard some reports about Orange Crush. It's quite the sight!

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by otterhere

I saw some video on and heard some reports about Orange Crush. It's quite the sight!

Yes, there was a mother and daughter robbed and beat up by a mob and gunshots were fired too. This is a small beach town that gets held hostage by these out of state people every year. If you try to control it, you get accused of racism.

[GA Survivor]

Unfortunately, there isn’t a fix for Tybee. The residents in general want to keep it local first off. Outside of that, it is small (3 square miles). It is the reason there isn’t a major investment in road improvements, extremely little impact for an ungodly amount of money. There isn’t enough room to make any improvements that would increase capacity substantially. Vertical is the only option but it is still only 3 square miles and couldn’t hold 10-40 story buildings anyways. Jekyll is about 9 square miles, St. Simons 34, Hilton Head 60+ and it goes on, it is probably the smallest in the southeast and completely isolated no way to add an addition exit off. It would make more sense to build a toll booth at the start by Bull River and limit the amount of visitors going past like a check point. Once full, turn them away until there is available capacity. Renters and owners would have a pass that allowed them through. Probably get stoned to death for this but, if they could access Ossabaw from land and develop it as a beach, it is about 15 miles of high ground and 45 of marsh/lowlands, it would relieve the pressure but this is an impossible option in reality. Same for St. Catherine’s , we as people would destroy the natural beauty that both of these are.

[otterhere]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

Yes, there was a mother and daughter robbed and beat up by a mob and gunshots were fired too. This is a small beach town that gets held hostage by these out of state people every year. If you try to control it, you get accused of racism.

Shouldn't be allowed... But, as you say, everyone's cowed and intimidated. Not just there, but everywhere now. They know it and take advantage of it. Ridiculous. I'm sorry for you!

[SavannahLife]

Originally Posted by GA Survivor

Unfortunately, there isn’t a fix for Tybee. The residents in general want to keep it local first off. Outside of that, it is small (3 square miles). It is the reason there isn’t a major investment in road improvements, extremely little impact for an ungodly amount of money. There isn’t enough room to make any improvements that would increase capacity substantially. Vertical is the only option but it is still only 3 square miles and couldn’t hold 10-40 story buildings anyways. Jekyll is about 9 square miles, St. Simons 34, Hilton Head 60+ and it goes on, it is probably the smallest in the southeast and completely isolated no way to add an addition exit off. It would make more sense to build a toll booth at the start by Bull River and limit the amount of visitors going past like a check point. Once full, turn them away until there is available capacity. Renters and owners would have a pass that allowed them through. Probably get stoned to death for this but, if they could access Ossabaw from land and develop it as a beach, it is about 15 miles of high ground and 45 of marsh/lowlands, it would relieve the pressure but this is an impossible option in reality. Same for St. Catherine’s , we as people would destroy the natural beauty that both of these are.

What about... a high speed CAT ferry to/from River St > Tybee. Run three time a day. Toll idea, might be good. And give county residents a discount or affordable annual pass.

Ossabaw and St Catherine are too far for a bridge fortunately. Ossabaw is wonderful, secluded and peaceful. Never been to St Cat, I hear you have to know someone. I want to see the lemurs! Some day. Tybee is fun, just enough stuff there but not normally crowded. It's especially great at night in the off season.

It's too bad about that attack, I saw the video. They were kicking her on the ground. With all the phones these days surprising they haven't found out who it was yet.

[masonbauknight]

Originally Posted by GA Survivor

Probably get stoned to death for this but, if they could access Ossabaw from land and develop it as a beach, it is about 15 miles of high ground and 45 of marsh/lowlands, it would relieve the pressure but this is an impossible option in reality. Same for St. Catherine’s , we as people would destroy the natural beauty that both of these are.

Stoning is unnecessary, but other C-D readers seeing this thread might not know that all development of, and access to, Ossabaw and St. Catherines islands are prohibited by state law. It should be clear that both islands have permanent protected status, and all visits there must be coordinated and hosted through the Ossabaw and St Cats Foundations. I've met people who have been to Ossabaw on unauthorized visits in their private boats, but you are isolated and on your own if anything happens. (Snakebite? Injuries? Big problem.) At any rate, Tybee is Savannah's only beach and there won't be others in this century.

[Atlanta-Kid]

I mean- a rail line to Tybee sounds like the only option---- far fetched- but still an option
I agree that a road isn't feasible- and looking all around the map -theres no room

[midgeorgiaman]

Tybee is at max capacity and that is stopping many. A lot of people just refuse to deal with the traffic and parking and that is a limiting factor. As for Orange Crush, it reminds me of Greekfest in Virginia Beach in the 80s/90s. The college kids were fine, but the locals who crash the party cause the issues. The only way to stop that is great planning and good law enforcement decisions if embracing the event. If you don't want it, book a Shag/Beach music fest for that weekend far in advance. Older people will book all the rooms/homes and fill it up leaving no space for a last minute social media takeover. Music drives your crowd whether it's a bar, club, or a Beach.

[CoastalGAGuy]

Originally Posted by Atlanta-Kid

I mean- a rail line to Tybee sounds like the only option---- far fetched- but still an option
I agree that a road isn't feasible- and looking all around the map -theres no room

Everything old is new again? They closed the Tybee Railroad in 1933.