The Green Community of St Johns Yacht Harbor

As the main gateway to Johns Island, it's only appropriate that the builders of the new St. Johns Yacht Harbor take the same approach to the construction of their new marina village as many Johns Island developers are realizing that the island should be developed - as a green community.

Formerly known as Buzzard's Roost and Stono, the developers of St. Johns Yacht Harbor purchased the land in 2006 and began working on an innovative new concept known as the "marina village".  The first of its kind in the Lowcountry, the harbor will not only feature complete facilities for the enjoyment of the entire boating family, it will do so with as little environmental impact as possible.

"Our idea was to make something that our kids would remember as the place where they caught their first blue crab, but also include state-of-the-art facilities, all centered around ‘green' boating practices," said Matt Grayson, a main developer on the project along with 30 year marina-building veteran Bob Pilcher.  This included making the marina more than just a place to park your boat.  While working closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to implement a Certified Green Program, Grayson and Pilcher intend to comply with and achieve a Certified Clean Marina Standard.

Both practices promote the protection of coastal water quality through eco-friendly practices and use pro-active prevention techniques to educate conscientious boaters and marina owners on the best ways to prevent pollution. 

According to their website, "Today's Americans want to leave a world better than the one they inherited.  St. Johns Yacht Harbor's creators believe in protecting and enhancing the natural environment, as evidenced by our steps to develop St. Johns as a sustainable facility."

And being green only enhances the appeal of this full service marina.  Casually described as Charleston's only "country club on the water", the Yacht Harbor will include features such as a Captain's Retreat above the marina and a fuel dock which will be fully wired for WiFi and cable and include the use of satellite weather and navigational equipment.  Full amenities will include a waterfront pool and aqua bar offering full service food to order and facilities to cook your freshly caught fish, a Jacuzzi, chaise lounges, sun deck, sheltered cabanas, and an oyster roasting area and a full service outdoor kitchen.  Other services that will be available are on-site security, free pump-out service, discount boat cleaning, on-site laundry and shower facilities and a ship store to include everything from food and spirits to high speed fueling.  The Yacht Harbor will even offer free shuttle services to Downtown Charleston and local airports.

A brand new feature that the Yacht Harbor will be including is a series of wet lifts capable of hoisting boats up to 18,000 lbs in weight clear of salt water.  Access planks on both sides will raise and lower the boat, making it easier to hop on board.  With a total of 430 slips and natural deep water access, the Yacht Harbor can handle vessels up to 150 feet and will offer the service of dock carts and golf carts for easier transportation around the facilities.

And since no marina is complete without fine food and drinks, the Yacht Harbor will be opening a new waterfront restaurant called "Stono's", which is scheduled to open in early 2009.

The planned residences for the marina will be built in the spirit of low impact and conservation as the Yacht Harbor will only construct 26 high end townhomes, even though the lot was approved for 100 residences.

The north marina should be opening sometime this month, and a temporary harbor store will also be opened until the main building is completed.

*Photos are artist renderings of St Johns Yacht Harbor