While some people binge Netflix, I binge building permits and meeting agendas. This column is based on what I find.
Stay engaged Savannah,
This week’s briefs
Hotel and holes to go
A site development plan was submitted on Feb. 16 for a five-story, 157-room Candlewood Suites at President and Wahlstrom Road. The plan includes a Dunkin’ drive-thru for quick donut dispatch. The proposed hotel would be in front of the Mariner Grove apartment complex east of the Truman Parkway.
SEDA expediting manufacturing center site work
The Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) submitted plans on Feb. 15 to clear about 31 acres within the Savannah Chatham Manufacturing Center, a planned 630-acre industrial park about 15 miles west of downtown Savannah. SEDA is seeking to expedite the construction process for Seoyon E-hwa, following Governor Brian Kemp’s announcement earlier this month that the global auto parts supplier will be establishing a facility at the site.
On Friday, President and CEO Trip Tollison told the Chatham County Commission that SEDA was no longer seeking to rezone the industrial park from light industrial to heavy industrial, after the Metropolitan Planning Commission voted in October to recommend denial of the change that had been opposed by surrounding residents. The Seoyon manufacturing facility is not dependent on the site being zoned heavy industrial, according to SEDA spokesperson Angela Hendrix.
Big plans for a little building move forward … a wee bit
A site plan was submitted on Feb. 15 for the renovation and expansion of the funky 194-square-foot building at 1602 Bull St. for use as a restaurant. As approved by the Historic Preservation Commission last April, the plans would add a new rear addition to the one-story building and expand the structure’s footprint to 900-square-feet. The plan includes an outdoor seating area between the building and the sidewalk. Owner Beth Vantosh, of Vantosh Realty Group, said Saturday she would like to break ground immediately, but it could take anywhere from six months to a year, depending on how long the city’s review process takes.
If you lived here, you wouldn’t have to worry about arena parking
Site plans and a development permit application were submitted on Feb. 14 to construct two multi-family buildings at 1025 W. Gwinnett St. near the Enmarket Arena just west of downtown. According to a project narrative submitted with the plans on Feb. 14, the project will consist of 314 apartment units, including 60 studio units, 147 1-bedroom units and 107 2-bedroom units. The development will include amenities such as a pool and gym. The applicant, SAV 1025 Gwinnett LLC, shares the address of New York-based Spandrel Development Partners. That company’s co-founders, Ian Levine and Emanuel Neuman, are also listed as contacts for the project.
Apartments on JEA’s backside
A building permit application was submitted on Feb. 13 for a 4-story apartment complex at 5111 Abercorn St. behind the the Jewish Educational Alliance (JEA) building. Dubbed “Arcadia Savannah”, the $13 million project is being proposed by Austin-based RPM Living, which is listed as the property owner in the application. Chatham County property records indicate the site, where athletic fields are located, currently remains owned by the JEA. The building permit application comes after RPM submitted a general development plan for the 93-unit complex in August.
From deliverance to shipping?
The Savannah Progressive Primitive Baptist Church at 309 Tibet Avenue was purchased on Feb. 3 for $1.1 million by SAVA Tibet Properties, a subsidiary of New Jersey-based TRT International, according to sales records. TRT operates as an “agent between shippers, ocean carriers, air carriers and inland cargo forwarders providing high-quality service in the areas of ocean, air and inland freight to an array of clients in a wide range of industries,” according the company’s website.
Plans for former ice house warming up
A development plan was submitted on Feb. 7 to convert the vacant brick building at 15 W. 43rd St. into a restaurant. Dubbed “Lucia Pasta”, the project submission indicates Kyle Jacovino, the chef and owner of Pizza Vittoria at Starland Yard, is behind the project by listing him as the owner. The building is currently owned by Mohamed Eldibany, who also owns Victory North event venue across the street, along with the The Garage at Victory North restaurant next to the concert venue. He also restored the historic Victorian house at 9 W. 43rd St. to house Troupial Cafe.
The building was originally built between 1936 and 1940 and operated as a cold storage “icehouse”, but has been vacant for 30 years according to architect Kevin Rose, as reported by Savannah Agenda when renovation plans were submitted last year. The Historic Preservation Commission approved alterations and additions to the building for the project in August.
Last week’s features
Old Town Trolley planning downtown restaurant and distillery museum
Old Town Trolley’s parent company is planning to convert a former parking garage at 234 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard into a restaurant and bar with retail space and a museum.
Historic Tours of America is borrowing from the success of the American Prohibition Museum for the project, with a focus on the heritage and sciences of distilleries, according to the company’s regional manager, Charlie Brazil.
Savannah Bee Company ‘keeping it in the family’ with local expansion
Honey is hot and the Savannah Bee Company’s got Hot Honey.
The company’s relatively new scotch bonnet and habanero pepper infused honey, which is “taking off like crazy” is just one of the many products alongside other specialty honeys and a multitude of body care products that will soon be shipped from a new fulfillment center just outside downtown Savannah, according to owner Ted Dennard.
The Savannah Bee Company recently began renovating the storage warehouse near the Enmarket Arena to accommodate the growing business, after purchasing the building at 313 Stiles Avenue for almost $4.4 million in December 2021.
Developer repos property donated for Savannah police and fire station
Easy come. Easy go. The saying could be applied to the city’s acquisition and recent loss of almost two acres on Hutchinson Island.
A developer recently repossessed the property that had been donated to the city after plans for a Savannah police and fire station at the site never moved forward.
Savannah Bananas hit “stroke of luck” with new home base
The building was already painted yellow and located across the street from Grayson Stadium. What will soon serve as Savannah Bananas new headquarters appears meant to be.
A “stroke of luck” is how President Jared Orton recently described the team’s recent acquisition of the former furniture store at 2934 Bee Road – a purchase that came about by chance when the team’s co-owner, Emily Cole, learned of the building owner’s intention to sell the property while shopping there.
#StayEngagedSavannah
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