By Eric Curl
April 23, 2025 – Chatham Area Transit is seeking an additional $1 million grant to construct a ferry dock at the Plant Riverside hotel-retail complex on West River Street, as approved by the board on Tuesday.
CAT previously received a federal $1 million grant in 2017 for the project, while the city of Savannah contributed the property for the dock, with an in-kind value of $1 million.
While the project is currently out for bid, preliminary estimates indicate the total cost will exceed the previously awarded grant amount. Therefore, the additional funding is required to complete the dock’s construction.
The project is also supported by the Savannah Waterfront Community Improvement District (SWCID), according to the funding request form CAT submitted to Sen. Raphael Warnock
“By expanding ferry access on the west end of the waterfront, the project aligns with SWCID’s goals to finance improvements that increase property values and strengthen commercial activity through enhanced connectivity,” the funding request states.
The board’s vote on Tuesday was to ratify an application submitted by interim Executive Director/CEO Stephanie Cutter for Congressionally Directed Spending by the April 7 deadline, after being made aware of the possible funding by Warnock’s office. The application also includes $3.4 million for five new buses.
RELATED: Plant Riverside Dock Site Plan by Thomas and Hutton
CAT reported that ferry ridership in FY 2024 reportedly exceeded 610,000 passengers and “the new dock will alleviate capacity constraints and provide equitable access to jobs, tourism, and services.”
The grant application comes after Warnock secured for CAT $1.8 million in funding in FY 2023 for a hybrid electric ferry.
Lawmakers are now reviewing stakeholder requests for programmatic funding and community projects,” according to CAT’s federal lobbyist, Squire Patton Boggs.
“Sens. (Jon) Ossoff (D-GA) and Warnock (D-GA) accepted submissions through early April, and Squire Patton Boggs is in contact with Rep. (Buddy) Carter (R-GA) regarding his request process,” the lobbyist’s April 19 memo states. “FY 2026 is expected to be a difficult fiscal environment, as Republican lawmakers face mounting pressure from the Trump Administration and its own caucus to pursue substantial budget cuts.”
CAT’s Savannah Belles Ferry system currently has two docks along the Savannah Riverwalk, one at City Hall and the other at Morrell Park near the Savannah Marriott Riverfront – in addition to a dock on Hutchinson Island at the Savannah Convention Center. The new ferry dock and shelter would be located at the western end of the Savannah Riverwalk, according to the plans.
In other news, CAT is scheduled to hold its annual workshop on the operating budget and 5-Year capital plan at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at CAT Central, 900 E. Gwinnett St.
To watch the workshop online, go to www.youtube.com/ChathamAreaTransit.
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