JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. (AP) Jekyll Island's governing authority has hired Southwestern Wilderness of Edison, Ga., to build Great Dunes Park, a 20-acre green space that will lie alongside the dune system at Jekyll's main beach.

It's the first part of a plan to revitalize Jekyll's town center.

The plan includes a convention center, beachside shopping, a pedestrian district and new hotels.

The authority considers the beach village project a key ingredient in attracting visitors back to the aging state park.

The park will replace Jekyll's cracked concrete boardwalk with a new 10-foot-wide tabby-style one that curves around dunes and connects to the rest of Jekyll's trail system.

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