Economic Development and the Tybee Post Theater

A Cultural Arts Center is the last link in making Tybee
a year round destination and will substantially improve our quality of life.

America’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity every year – $63.1 billion in spending by organizations and an additional $103.1 billion in event-related spending by audiences. The national impact of this activity is significant, supporting 5.7 million jobs and generating $29.6 billion in government revenue. Data collected from 94,478 attendees at a range of events reveal an average spending of $27.79 per person, per event - in addition to the cost of admission. This spending generated an estimated $103.1 billion of valuable revenue for local merchants and their communities.

– Americans for the Arts Study III, 2005, www.artsusa.org

The existing two and one-half month tourist season on Tybee is a major challenge for most businesses as their costs of operation and property taxes are based on year-round use. When Tybee loses a successful restaurant, its quality of life is diminished and its tax base shrinks. Even the viability of an operation such as the Savannah-Hilton Head Airport is strengthened by significant tourism volume, plus Tybee and Savannah residents benefit as a result.

Our plans to work with local restaurants and lodging companies to offer entertainment packages will turn day-trippers into overnighters and overnighters into weekenders. A recent survey confirmed that Tybee Island is the highest rated destination outside of Savannah’s Historic District.

The historic Tybee Post Theater offers an intimate venue with seating in the range of 240 seats; Savannah’s Morris Center, which is similar in size, has proven to be highly successful for the Savannah Music Festival and many other events. Fifteen years ago, Savannah’s Broughton Street was mostly vacant. Now with the active programming of the Lucas and Trustees theaters, downtown Savannah is alive in both the daytime and the evening. Downtown Statesboro has had a similar benefit from their restored theater. The Lucas and Trustees are closer to 1,100 seats and the Johnny Mercer Theater has 2,500 seats.

Our unique seating size of 240 makes the Tybee Post Theater a highly valued venue for the Savannah area.

Plans for the interior of the Tybee Post Theater create a space that is highly adaptive with a tiered floor that allows for theater seating while also allowing tables for conferences and other events. By using the Post Guard House in conjunction with the Post Theater, business conferences in the “shoulder” season could be attracted to Tybee for the benefit of hotels and other lodging as well as for restaurants.

Our flexible seating will allow for concerts, movies, banquets, and weddings and will allow intimate cabaret seating for 50, banquets for 190 or a full concert for 240.