By Eric Curl
Jan. 30, 2023 – The costs to repair and rebuild the Hutchinson Island riverwalk continue to mount, following the collapse of a section near the Savannah Convention Center and Westin hotel last June.
On Friday, the Chatham County Commission approved the use of $4.6 million in contingency funds to go towards the growing costs of the reconstruction project. The funding was needed to cover an additional $3.8 million in expenses, on top of about $3.4 million already spent on design and emergency work.
The latest expense is to cover the cost of ordering about 180 piles, which have an eight week lead time and will provide an improved support system, County Engineer Suzanne Cooler told the commission.
“What’s being rebuilt will last,” Cooler said. “It’s not going anywhere soon.”
Cooler’s assurances came after she explained that the collapse could not be attributed to one factor alone. Aside from problematic soils and the flow of tides back and forth, the collapsed platform did not have any piles underneath to support the weight of the concrete, planters and landscaping.
“(There was) nothing to hold it there except soil,” she said.
When asked whether an earthquake that morning about 70 miles away in Stillmore, Ga. could have contributed, she told the commission it was possible, saying the earthquake occurred around 4 a.m. and the first cracks appeared about four hours later.
“It’s suspicious that it happened that same day,” she said.
The latest cost increase was expected and more costs will be coming, Cooler said. Another $4 million will be necessary to complete the project and the total cost is expected to total about $11.3 million, she said.
Commissioners Aaron “Adot” Whitely and Dean Kicklighter voted against the funding after noting the riverwalk was surrounded by state and city owned property. The city of Savannah would be the real beneficiary after annexing in tax-generating properties surrounding the riverwalk following its construction, Kicklighter said.
Chairman Chester Ellis said the county is talking with state and federal officials about getting some funding assistance for the project.
“It’s got to go through a process and that process is in motion,” Ellis said.
#StayEngagedSavannah
[email-subscribers-form id=”1″]
If you find value in this website, please consider contributing via Paypal to help cover the costs. You can also send contributions via Venmo @Eric-Curl and via CashApp at $ECrl77. Your support, no matter how much you give, is appreciated and will help ensure the future viability of this community resource. You can also show your support by sharing Savannah Agenda with others via email or social media by clicking the icons below. Increasing readership is critical to the long-term success of this site.