Downtown Master Plan presentations

This post was written by John Bennett

May 21, 2007

Wednesday, May 23, 6:30 p.m.
Via the City of Savannah Web site:

The Savannah Development and Renewal Authority (SDRA) and the City of Savannah, in conjunction with the Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission, will hold a public presentation of the findings, preliminary strategies and recommendations for a Downtown Savannah Master Plan at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, at the Desoto Hilton Atrium on Liberty Street.

Over the past year, a number of public meetings, focus groups and work sessions have been held with the business community, neighborhood residents and civic organizations to provide input into the process and shape the creation of a master plan for downtown Savannah. The study focused on issues related to economic opportunity, housing, quality of life, mobility and development. The process has been led by the consulting team of Kise, Straw and Kolodner; Urban Partners; McMillan and Associates and Sottile and Sottile. In addition to the City of Savannah, the Downtown Neighborhood Association, Tourism Leadership Council and Historic Savannah Foundation provided financial support for this important effort.

Stanley Lowe, vice president for community and neighborhood revitalization for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will give the keynote address before Wednesday’s presentation. He will speak on the importance of a healthy and vital downtown.

The public is also invited to two open houses on the Master Plan recommendations the following day, Thursday, May 24, also at the Desoto Hilton. The drop-ins will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4-6 p.m. The public is invited to talk with the consulting team and offer feedback.

For more information, contact SDRA Executive Director Lise Sundrla at 912.651.6973 or Savannah Public Information Director Bret Bell at 912.651.6410.