Some people fish or paint for fun. I read building permits and meeting agendas. Then I write about what I find.
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The latest …
This historic Savannah mansion may be restored, although proposal to demolish newer addition draws scrutiny
June 11, 2023 – A deteriorating downtown mansion may get restored, but one aspect of the plan could block the project from moving forward. Read more>
Belk selling outparcels at Oglethorpe Mall
June 11, 2023 – Belk is in the process of selling some of its property outside surrounding the department store at Oglethorpe Mall. Read more>
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Savannah movie theater closed, available for new use
June 11, 2023 – The AMC movie theater on Stephenson Avenue is closed and the property is being marketed for commercial use. Read more>
Chatham County seeking $20M grant as planned 911 center’s cost’s grow
June 11, 2023 – It’s been about seven years since Chatham County and Savannah decided to build a new emergency response center. County officials are still trying to figure out how to pay for it. Read more>
Plans submitted to demolish building, construct single family residence, following removal of downtown structure’s historic designation
June 11, 2023 – Once “historic” and recently declared not to be so, the importance of a 1950s-era downtown structure is again up for debate. Read more>
Savannah City Council approves crucial permit for new Jinx
June 8, 2023 – Those more accustomed to late nights at the now-shuttered Jinx had no problem showing up Thursday afternoon to support the owner’s attempt to reopen the downtown Savannah bar and music venue in a new location. And the city responded in kind. Read more>
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In case you missed it…
Historic Kiah House up for sale to “preservation-minded” buyer
May, 29 2023 – The Historic Savannah Foundation is marketing the historic Kiah House for sale to a “preservation-minded” buyer with the intention of rehabilitating the dilapidated structure and recognizing the significance of Savannah’s first African-American founded museum.
The buyer is expected to rehabilitate the historic home and carriage house, while retaining all elements indicative of the time the structure was used as the Kiah House Museum, between 1959-1998, according to the request for proposals. The RFP states further that applicants that propose public access and interpretation of the significance of Virginia Kiah will be prioritized. Read more>
Terror Vision: Graveface brings some local life to Oglethorpe Mall
May 29, 2023 – Amid national chain stores such as Macy’s, Express and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, patrons of the Oglethorpe Mall can now find a locally owned source of records, goth attire, arcade games and horror themed memorabilia.
Ryan Graveface has brought his love of music and the macabre to the mall with the opening of a temporary “pop up” version of Graveface Records & Curiosities, the business he established almost 13 years ago at 5 W. 40th St. in the area branded as the Starland District within the Thomas Square Streetcar Historic District. Read more>
Maybe, finally? Latest vision for historic service station makes headway
May 25, 2023 –After previous owners’ plans have come and gone, Chris Moody and his partners may be the ones to finally save the historic service station slowly deteriorating on the corner of 37th and Price streets.
As co-owner of the popular watering hole Moodright’s and the adjoining honkytonk hangout, Over Yonder, Moody has demonstrated his ability to turn a vision into a successful local business. Read more>
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Restoration, new homes approved as part of Cuyler-Brownville housing initiative
May 25, 2023 – The Historic Preservation Commission approved the Galvan Foundation’s plans for multiple Cuyler-Brownville properties on Wednesday, as the New York-based nonprofit moves forward with its city endorsed mixed-income housing initiative for the historic neighborhood.
The approved projects include the rehabilitation of the fire-damaged historic duplex at 2205 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, along with the construction of a carriage house on the lot. In addition, the HPC approved Galvan’s plans, through a subsidiary, Savannah Local Initiatives, to construct a similar duplex and carriage house on the adjacent vacant lot. Read more>
SCAD planning to demolish former railroad terminal for student housing
May 22, 2023 – The Savannah College of Art and Design submitted plans last week to demolish the former railroad terminal at 703 Louisville Road and build a 220-unit student housing complex in its place.
The “head house” on the eastern end of the vacant building will be preserved in its existing location, with a 6-story student housing building to be built around it, according to the plans. A second building on the west side of the site will have seven levels, with two for parking and five for student housing. Read more>
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SCAD obtains tax exemptions for new dorm and parking garage
May 22, 2023 – The Savannah College of Art and Design’s tax-exempt inventory continues to grow, while a handful of the university’s properties remain on the tax rolls. SCAD, a registered nonprofit, will save about an additional $86,000 a year in taxes, after recently obtaining tax exempt status on two more properties. Read more>
Entire McQueen’s Island Trail now open
May 22, 2023 – Runners, cyclists and nature lovers are once again able to enjoy all five miles of the McQueen’s Island Trail along the Savannah River, after damage caused by tropical storms in 2016 and 2017 shut off access to the waterfront trail along US 80 between Savannah and Tybee Island. Read more>
Pittsburgh-based Coop De Ville bringing its “Southern” eats and duckpin bowling down to Savannah’s Eastern Wharf
May 12, 2023 – A Pittsburgh-based restaurant is bringing its “Southern Table” down to Savannah’s developing Eastern Wharf waterfront community east of downtown.
The 6,329-square-foot Coop De Ville establishment will be located on the ground floor of the 6-story Riverworks building on Eastern Wharf’s northwest end, according to the plans submitted for review on Friday. The project includes a mezzanine with a grand staircase and duckpin bowling alley. Read more>
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Long vacant, fire damaged historic property in Cuyler Brownville is to be home again under New York org’s plan
May 11, 2023 – Constructed in 1902 on what was West Broad Street, it’s been more than two decades since anyone lived in the 2-story wood frame dwelling just south of 38th Street. Pass by today, you’ll see the burnt up remnants of the structure on what is now 2205 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Named for its original occupants, A.J. and Effie Thorpe, the Galvan Foundation is now planning to make long vacant Thorpe house someone’s home once again, as the New York-based nonprofit developer moves forward with mixed-income housing plans for historic Cuyler-Brownville. Read more>
SCAD’s plan for former Ghost Coast Distillery building approved
May 10, 2023 – The Savannah College of Art and Design will not have to worry about getting a refund, following the recent acquisition of the former Ghost Coast Distillery building.
The university’s plans to convert the structure to serve students, rather than spirits, was approved by the Historic District Board of Review on Wednesday. Read more>
Mid-century building once owned by city now facing uncertain future
May 2, 2023 – With a padlocked chain securing the entrance, the former Broughton Municipal Building on East Broughton Street, where Savannah residents once paid their utility bills, has not welcomed visitors for about four years.
Ever since the city sold the historic mid-century building and relocated the revenue department in 2019, the 6-story structure has sat vacant and unused, aside from being a canvas for graffiti. Read more>
No luck required; The Jinx gets a little help from its friends
May 2, 2023 – Strong support from area residents, musicians, business owners and former patrons may just spur the encore they desire, as the owner of The Jinx attempts to reopen the beloved downtown Savannah bar and music venue that shut its doors in 2020.
That love of the establishment was evident Tuesday, when the Metropolitan Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a special-use permit to operate the proposed bar, music venue and restaurant in the Streetcar Historic District. The commission cast their unanimous vote after receiving more than 200 letters of support and hearing about 20 speakers plead their case for what they described as “community center”, a “refuge” for music fans, and “hotspot of local culture.”
The recommendation for approval will next go to the Savannah City Council, which has the final say on whether the currently vacant and rough looking building at 2602 Whitaker St. can serve as Savannah’s next haven for metal, rock, country and hip hop lovers. Read more>
Chatham County closes out federal rental assistance program
May 1, 2023 – While the need is no doubt still there, federal rental assistance provided during the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer an option.
Chatham County recently closed out the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program after reportedly using $14 million in grant funding to support 3,159 households over a 2-year period during the pandemic. By the time the US Treasury’s Dec. 29 deadline to spend the funds arrived, the county had about $3.5 million in awarded funds left over, which have to be returned to the US Treasury. Read more>
New building to be built for restaurant on former city lot sold as part of affordable housing plan
April 26, 2023 – A developer’s plan to construct a commercial building on former city property is progressing, while the viability of building affordable housing on a majority of the site awaits a decision from the state.
The Historic Preservation Commission approved Pinyan/Procida Development Group’s petition on Wednesday to construct the one-story building for use as a restaurant at 1705 Abercorn St., where a small parking lot currently exists.
Meanwhile, construction of the affordable apartment complex on the site acquired from the city is dependent on the awarding of the tax credits later this year, Mario Procida, with the development group, said last month. Read more>
Green Truck Pub gets greenlight to gussy up
April 26, 2023 – The 1980s-era building at 2430 Habersham St. will be getting a 21st-century makeover after Green Truck Pub’s owners got the OK to shed the structure’s fast-food past.
Coming after the COVID-19 pandemic moved diners outside, the plan to improve the 12-year-old restaurant’s outdoor aesthetics and seating accommodations was approved by the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday. Read more>
Developer optimistic about chances for senior housing at fairgrounds site
April 23, 2023 – Developer Bill Gross said the tax credit application he will be submitting to develop affordable housing at the former fairgrounds site has a “very high probability” of success, following the city’s recent support for the effort.
“Whenever you have a community willing to help sponsor a project, it helps a lot,” Gross said. “I think that is going to be the thing that will really to put us in the winning category.” Read more>
Southside Sears developer says apartments on the way
April 23, 2023 – It won’t be in time to enjoy the Graveface Records and Curiosities temporary pop-up shop that is opening there this year, but a Charlotte, NC-based developer says the Oglethorpe Mall will one day have hundreds of potential customers living right next door.
Madison Capital Group is moving forward with plans to demolish the vacant Sears on the mall’s west end and construct a 240-unit apartment complex on the site. The company submitted a building permit application for the project this month, more than a year after the Savannah City Council approved the company’s petition to rezone the property from commercial to multi-family residential in February 2022.
The company is now looking to start construction in the next 30 to 60 days, Executive Managing Director Ross Rabun said Friday. Read more>
Sale of former city properties approved as part of Cuyler-Brownville housing plan
April 16, 2023 – Three vacant lots are set to be developed as affordable housing and a neighborhood eyesore is expected to be made livable once again, following the approval of mixed-income housing plans for Cuyler-Brownville.
The Chatham County-Savannah Land Bank Authority (LBA) approved the sale of the first four of 19 former city properties to the Galvan Foundation as part of the New York-based nonprofit’s housing initiative in the historic neighborhood. Read more>
SCAD building ‘fire station’, ‘convenience store’ and ‘subway’ at film studio complex
April 16, 2023 – Beyond the gateway currently under construction, the Savannah College of Art and Design is continuing to develop a world of make-believe off Louisville Road.
SCAD recently submitted plans to construct multiple backlot buildings as part of the film studio complex the university is developing along the corridor west of Savannah’s downtown historic district. The plans include the construction of buildings resembling a subway station, New York-style brownstones, a convenience store and gas station, rowhouses and a fire station for students to use for filming projects.
Old Town Trolley considering paranormal experience for site following Liberty Street building acquisiton
The “Old Town District” may soon be a fitting name for the northeast corner of Liberty Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Old Town Trolley recently invested $3 million to purchase the downtown Savannah building at 416 W. Liberty St., which previously housed the Distillery Ale House for 11 years before the bar and restaurant shut its doors in 2020.
The company is still in the conceptual stage of determining how the property will be used, although the building is expected to serve as another Old Town attraction such as the American Prohibition Museum in City Market, according to the company’s regional manager, Charlie Brazil. The area surrounding the newly acquired property has a “substantial haunted heritage” and they are considering some type of paranormal programming for the site, Brazil said.
The company is also planning to convert a former parking garage next to the Liberty Street building into a restaurant and bar with retail space and a museum, as previously reported. In addition, the company is in the process of renovating the adjacent Old Town Trolley building at 250 MLK by making improvements to the guest service area in front.
Kessler submits building permit application, building plans for newly acquired mansion
Luxury hotel developer Richard Kessler recently submitted a building permit application for interior improvements to the historic mansion he recently purchased at 26 East Gaston St. The building permit application included renderings by local architect Christian Sottile.
The plans show the floor plans of the home’s three levels and basement, which include five bedrooms and one room described as a apartment. The illustrations also show a lounge, wine cellar, pool and gym.
Kessler purchased the 115-year-old mansion for $4.75 million in February, as previously reported. He remains focused on renovating the “iconic” residential property overlooking Forsyth Park and Drayton Street and has not made any decisions about long-term plans for the property, according to his spokesperson, Allison Hersh.
Once in the way of development plans, former Savannah railroad terminal condemned as “unfit for human habitation”
After plans to demolish the building for an apartment complex failed to move forward, an early 20th-century railroad terminal appears to be falling apart on its own.
The city recently condemned the former railroad freight terminal at 703 Louisville Road after finding it to be unfit for human habitation, improperly secured, covered in graffiti and surrounded by litter, according to public records obtained through an open-records request. Read more>
The building was found to be unfit for human habitation, according to the posted notice. Eric Curl/April 14, 2023
‘Savannah Morning News’ building now devoid of SMN staff, shuttered presses to be dismantled
April 3, 2023 – The newspaper’s name may still grace the building’s entrance, but Savannah Morning News employees recently moved out and the former owner is now taking steps to remove the last remnants of the publication’s presence at 1375 Chatham Parkway.
The city recently issued Augusta-based Morris Communications a permit to have Thompson Building Wrecking Co. dismantle, remove and dispose of the 20-year-old building’s newspaper presses, dock conveyors and associated gear at a cost of $70,000. In addition, Morris submitted a permit application to demolish the partition walls inside the newspaper’s mailroom. Read more>
With $6.5M purchase, downtown church seeks to address parking woes
April 10, 2023 – The Independent Presbyterian Church’s parking challenges downtown may soon be alleviated with the recent purchase of two nearby parcels just east of the Savannah Civic Center.
The church purchased a parking lot on Barnard Street, north of Orleans Square, along with a 19th-century home and associated parking on Oglethorpe Avenue, for $6.5 million, on April 3. Read more>
SCAD to buy building after Ghost Coast Distillery’s closing
April 6, 2023 – Less than half a mile long, Indian Street packs in about three blocks worth of recent development projects just outside of Savannah’s downtown historic district. With the pending sale of a 60-year-old building on the corridor’s west end, that evolution is set to continue.
The Savannah College of Arts and Design recently submitted plans to renovate the building that formerly housed the Ghost Coast Distillery at 641 West Indian St. SCAD is under contract to purchase the building to renovate the structure for “state-of-the-art” classrooms. Read more>
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