Fact Sheet: Resolution 2025-17
TO MAKE A PARCEL OF LAND IN MEMORIAL PARK AVAILABLE TO TYBEE ISLAND MARITIME ACADEMY (TIMA) FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING AND MAINTAINING A PERMANENT SCHOOL BUILDING
What the Resolution Does
Keeps Memorial Park public — no land is being sold or transferred.
Authorizes collaboration, not construction — planning will occur through the Memorial Park Master Plan, with public input and Council approval.
Provides the assurance TIMA needs to begin private fundraising for a permanent school building — demonstrating that a suitable site exists if funds are raised. This support is critical for TIMA to secure philanthropic and grant funding and avoid any reliance on taxpayer dollars.
Allows the City and TIMA to explore a shared-use facility through a future written agreement (likely a long-term lease).
Preserves public ownership and open park access while supporting local education and community vitality.
What the Resolution Does Not Do
Χ It does not approve construction or finalize any design.
Χ It does not give TIMA City land.
Χ It does not allocate City funds to build the school.
Χ It does not bypass public process — the Master Plan (due 2026) will determine placement, design, and shared-use details.
Χ It does not eliminate green space — the Urban Land Institute (ULI) report found Memorial Park could expand from 44,000 to 147,000 sq. ft. of usable space without reducing green areas.
Addressing Common Concerns
Community Benefits
● Supports Island Families: Keeps an award-winning K–8 school on Tybee.
● Protects Park Ownership: City retains the land and long-term control.
● Enhances Park Use: A shared facility can modernize recreation, add parking and bathrooms, and improve accessibility.
● Strengthens Local Economy: TIMA families rent, shop, volunteer, and sustain island businesses year-round.
● Aligns with City Vision: The City’s Comprehensive Plan (2021–2026) prioritizes education, recreation, and family-friendly living.
Why This Is Important
Keeping the Tybee Island Maritime Academy (TIMA) on the island is essential to preserving Tybee’s year-round community, supporting local families, and maintaining the island’s identity as a place where people live—not just visit.
TIMA has agreed to fund the cost of constructing its own permanent school building, relying on private fundraising, grants, and philanthropic support—not taxpayer dollars. To launch that fundraising campaign, TIMA needs to show potential donors that the City of Tybee Island supports the school’s continued presence and that a suitable location is available should sufficient funds be raised.
This resolution provides that assurance without committing City funds or transferring public land. It simply signals that the City welcomes the school’s investment in a shared community space and will work collaboratively to find the best solution through the Memorial Park Master Plan process.
In short, this is an opportunity to keep education local, protect taxpayers, and enhance community spaces—all without sacrificing Memorial Park’s accessibility or green space.
VOTE YES ON RESOLUTION 2025-17