By Eric Curl
July 14, 2022 update – The authority postponed until a future meeting a vote on the elevator modernization contract due to a lack of a quorum. The 5-member board has one vacancy following a board member’s resignation in late April and another member, Thomas Henry, was absent. The three members who were present, Chairwoman Wanda Parrish, Vice Chairman Darrel Daise and Edward Gresham (via phone), voiced support for the proposal, but were unable to take an official vote on the matter. The vote on the honorary street designation in honor of US Sen. Raphael Warnock was also postponed.
July 12, 2022 – The Housing Authority of Savannah will consider an almost $1.5 million contract on Wednesday to modernize the three elevators at Stillwell Towers, the 20-story, 211-unit public housing apartment building on Waters Avenue for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
The current elevator systems at Stillwell are inefficient, outdated and beyond continued economic repair, while ongoing maintenance contracts have been unable to provide reliable service, according to the staff report. This has reportedly led to frequent unscheduled elevator outages.
Stillwell resident Barry Helmey said Tuesday that the elevator fix is needed. In addition to posing a risk during emergencies, the frequent breakdowns prevent health aides from reaching residents who depend on them for everyday needs like eating and dressing, Helmey said.
“Their caregivers cannot get to them when the elevators are down,” he said. “And they are down way too frequently.”
Otis Elevator plans to implement the project in phases and on a timeline that ensures there is at least one operational elevator available at all times. Work on the first passenger elevator and a freight elevator is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2023, while completion of the second passenger elevator would follow in the fourth quarter. It is expected to take about six months to obtain the necessary materials for the project due to supply chain issues, according to Procurement Manager Carl Edwards.
In other business Wednesday, the housing authority is set to consider the city of Savannah’s request for an honorary street designation in honor of US Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).
Cape Street, which runs through the Kayton Homes public housing community where Warnock grew up, would be designated “Raphael Warnock Way” under the proposal going before the housing authority on Wednesday. The honorary street designation is only symbolic and would not change the name of the street or impact addressing, GIS systems, or emergency responses.
The proposed designation is being considered at the request of Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, according to the housing authority staff report.
Speaking by phone on Monday, Johnson said that he requested the designation because he thought it was important to recognize the historic nature of having a US Senator with local roots.
“I think it’s even more historic that he is a product of public housing,” Johnson said. “I think it’s important for little boys who grow up on that block to know that greatness is not defined by where you live.”
The city’s naming ordinance requires the approval of the surrounding property owner, which in this case is the housing authority. If approved, the designation would have to be considered by the Savannah City Council before a sign is installed. The designations are temporary and effective for five years, under the ordinance, although they can be extended.
Warnock, who continues to serve as the senior pastor of Atlanta’s Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, is running for his first full term after being elected on Jan. 5, 2021, in a special election runoff to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Johnny Isakson. He is currently running for re-election in November against the Republican nominee, former NFL player Herschel Walker.
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