A recent national study examined what people wish for when selecting a location for travel or a place to live. The top feature was a beach community, and the second feature was a historic community. Although we get high marks on the beach community, we have neglected our historic community.
We have three nationally identified historic districts on Tybee, the Fort Screven district, the Strand district and the Back River/Inlet district. Unfortunately, national recognition provides no protection to these areas. Only recognition by our city will provide some measure of protection to historic properties. So far our city has refused to recognize or protect these areas. We need to enact ordinances that offer real protection to them, and we need to develop acquisition plans for threatened properties.