By Eric Curl 

March 8, 2023 – The Savannah Historic District Board of Review is meeting at 1 p.m. today at 112 East State St. To view the meeting online, go to the Metropolitan Planning Commission’s home page to register. 

The agenda includes the city’s proposed rehabilitation of the historic Gamble building next to City Hall, as part of a plan to once again use the building for employee offices. Built in 1877, the city had vacated the building in recent years as part of the past administration’s plan to sell the property.  Preferring to retain ownership, the current council abandoned that plan after a previously approved sales agreement fell through. The rehab plans come after the city council’s approval in December of a $960,833 contract with Johnson-Laux Construction for interior demolition work. 

Old Town Trolley’s new plans

The board will also consider alterations proposed for the Old Town Trolley building at 250 Martin Luther King. Jr. Boulevard. The non-historic building was constructed in the mid-1970s and was formerly used as a Dairy Queen Restaurant. In addition to the alterations to the building, the trolley company is planning to convert a former garage building next door into a restaurant and bar with retail space and a museum, as previously reported in February.

Another brick in the wall

In addition, repairs are proposed for the deteriorating historic brick wall at 21 West York St., part of a 2-story building that served commercial and residential functions since it was constructed in the late 19th century.

The wall is notable for the historic painted signs painted over the bricks and the proposed repairs include measures to preserve those signs while also using appropriate materials to match the wall’s historic mortar and bricks. The Wright Square Bistro currently operates out of the building.

See what other governing bodies are meeting and what they will be voting on in the latest Week Ahead.

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