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Lake Lanier Islands May Gain Huge Tax Rebate |
 A Georgia State Representative plans to propose a law giving a sales tax rebate of $25 million or more to developers of new tourist attractions, including Lake Lanier Islands.
Gwinnett businessman Virgil Williams, who leases the resort from the state, announced plans last fall to invest at least $300 million in the 1,100-acre resort.
A Williams spokesman, Shawn Davis, said while Williams did not seek the legislation, he supports it, adding that passage of the bill likely would accelerate the timetable for new development at the resort.
"Although we plan to invest $300 million or more over 10 years, the schedule would significantly accelerate if this legislation were to pass," Davis said. "This bill would spur tourism attractions all over the state."
The rebate, according to the current version of the bill, would include both state and local sales and use taxes, which could have some impact on local option and special purpose taxes.
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Little Hall Cove Locals Win Battle with Developers |
A group of more than 200 people aiming to stop further development in Little Hall Cove on Lake Lanier won a battle against an Atlanta developer.
Hall County commissioners voted 4-1 to deny Portofino at Lake Lanier's request to build 284 homes on 232 acres near Duckett Mill Road off Dawsonville Highway (Ga. 53).
Portofino at Lake Lanier, led by well-known Atlanta real estate developer Fred Milani, still owns a large majority of the land, aside from a 14-acre lot on which a landowner had partnered with the developer. Portofino still has plans for the land, but neighboring residents of the property were glad to see the project's current modifications denied.
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Helen to Lake Lanier Kayaking Trail Close to Reality |
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 This week Georgia spent $1.7 million to purchase 204 acres around Helen. This will allow boaters and kayakers to have access to the Chattahoochee River. Its hoped that this will the first of a string of public-access boat ramps and put-in points for canoeists, kayakers and rafters to paddle the river from Helen to Lake Lanier.
Darcie Holcomb, the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper's headwaters conservation director, is working on a strategy to present to the state Department of Natural Resource that will include boat ramps, parking lots, and overnight camping spots for paddlers at state-owned properties at Hardman Farm, Buck Shoals, Mossy Creek and Don Carter at Lake Lanier.
"All our really pretty mountain land is in high demand for retirement and second homes," said Jim Langford with the Trust for Public Land in Atlanta. "This is protecting the viewshed so that you won't have houses looming over that farm and that valley."
The Chattahoochee campaign, which is led by TPL and includes the Georgia Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy, the Conservation Fund and the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, has raised millions in public and private money to purchase a green way on either side of the Chattahoochee River between Helen and Columbus. To date, about $160 million has been spent to protect 13,500 acres touching about 140 miles of river, Langford said. |
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Lake Lanier Water Levels Still Low Entering March |
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 Lake Lanier remains four feet below full pool entering March, which is typically the wettest month of the year in North Georgia.
The first two months of 2007 have already seen 3 inches less rain than normal in the area and there are worries that without a rainy March, the regional drought may continue.
At Atlanta Journal Constitution quoted State climatologist David Stooksbury with the University of Georgia as saying that:
"March is historically our wettest month. If we do not receive bountiful rainfall, we are set up for a worsening drought this summer." |
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Emerald Pointe Expansion Planned at Lake Lanier Islands |
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Lake Lanier Islands announced several pieces of good news this week.
Revenues for 2006 were $28.5 million, up from $24.2 million in the previous year and they are working on plans to spend that money and more on a renovation and expansion of the Emerald Pointe Resort .
Gwinnett businessman Virgil Williams, who leases the 1,100-acre resort from the state, said his plans are to give the 216-room hotel a rustic look.
The rooms are being overhauled in design and furniture and in June, ground will be broken for six, six-bedroom cottages, which Williams had previously announced. The cottages, which will be completed by spring 2008, represent a $6 million investment.
The project will also include renovation and expansion of the two resort restaurants, Bullfrog's and Windows. Work on Bullfrogs is set for September to November and Windows from January to March at a combined $2 million.
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Lake Laniers 50th Birthday Celebrations Announced |
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 2007 marks Lake Lanier's 50th anniversary and a list of celebratory events has been released on www.lakelanier50.com. Special events include:
- Powerhouse Tours of Buford Dam, March 31st
- Atlanta Inland Sailing Club Dogwood Regatta, March 23rd – 25th
- Fun Run at Laurel Ridge Trail, April 14th
- Lake Lanier Association Spring Mini-Shoresweep, April 28th
- Rubber Duck Derby by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County, May 19th.
To kick off the extravaganza celebrating 50 Days for 50 Years between June 15th and August 11th, “Wear it and Win!” buttons continue to be distributed at the 10 marinas on Lake Lanier. Lucky button holders can win boating items, T-shirts, commemorative items, key chains, and more during the 50-day promotional period.
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Lake Lanier Islands Resort Readying for Tour De Georgia |
 Tour de Georgia Logo
The fifth annual cycling event will begin April 16 in Peachtree City and end April 22 in Centennial Olympic Park. Stage 6 will start from Lake Lanier Islands Resort on Saturday, April 21 and from there the cyclists will head down to the finish at Stone Mountain.
Lake Lanier Islands Resort expects fans to rent hotel rooms for the race, said Katy McLaughlin, promotions and communications director. The resort hopes people will rent boats to watch the Saturday morning race as cyclists come over the bridge.
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Lake Lanier City May Form in South Hall County |
Within two years, there may be a new City of Lake Lanier if a woman from from Flowery Branch has her way.
Robin Carlisle is heading up the effort to incorporate the area into a new city. She believes area residents are underrepresented by local government. The success of new cities such as Sandy Springs and Johns Creek has given the project hope of success.
Organizers hope to have a charter proposed in the General Assembly next summer. "If that passes by majority vote next summer, next fall we would be electing the new mayor of the City of Lake Lanier and the city council," Carlisle says. |
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