The Savannah City Council typically holds meetings at 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday at City Hall, 2 East Bay St.
The agenda for the June 25 meeting is now available to view. A workshop is typically be held before the meeting.
Remote viewing options include SGTV Comcast Channel 8, the city of Savannah YouTube page and the city of Savannah Facebook page.
NEWS BRIEFS
City Council Adopts Public Art Master Plan
The Savannah City Council unanimously adopted the city’s first Public Art Master Plan on Thursday, creating a roadmap for expanding public art throughout Savannah. The plan establishes strategies for commissioning, maintaining and integrating artwork into public spaces while promoting cultural tourism, neighborhood identity and community engagement. City officials said the plan is intended to guide future investments and partnerships that make public art more accessible and reflective of Savannah’s diverse history and communities. Check out the plan>
Broughton Reserve Receives Alcohol License Approval
The Savannah City Council approved alcohol licenses for Broughton Reserve, a new restaurant planned for 107 W. Broughton St., the former location of Good Times Jazz Bar. Meanwhile, the Nickel and Oak Lounge, a new 165-seat cocktail lounge, music venue and event space at 111 W. Congress St. is set to open July 3, according to a recent press release.
Savannah Authorizes Up to $357.5 Million in Water and Sewer Bonds
The Savannah City Council approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $357.5 million in water and sewer revenue bonds over the next three years to finance utility improvements. The city’s 2026 budget and capital plan anticipates investing $343.6 million in new water and sewer projects through 2028, including upgrades needed to maintain regulatory compliance and expand system capacity. The bond authorization is tied to planned water and sewer rate increases averaging about 7% annually through 2029, according to a staff memo, with the first bond sale, estimated at $142.4 million, expected in August.
Council Awards $9.8 Million Contract for Windsor Forest Community Center
The Savannah City Council approved a $9.8 million guaranteed maximum price contract with McKnight Construction Company to build a new Windsor Forest Community Center on the former Woody’s Skate Park site at 218 Windsor Road. The approximately 17,000-square-foot facility will feature a full-sized gym, multi-purpose rooms, fitness areas, administrative offices, concessions, locker rooms and other flexible community spaces, along with a new parking lot and stormwater detention pond. Designed in a mid-century modern architectural style to complement the surrounding neighborhood, the project moves into the construction phase after council approved a $7,500 pre-construction services contract with McKnight in January.
City, Rotary Clubs Partner on Herb Traub Gathering Space in Forsyth Park
The Savannah City Council approved a memorandum of agreement with the Rotary Club of Savannah and the Rotary Club of Metropolitan Savannah to create the Herb Traub Gathering Space in Forsyth Park. The project, named in honor of longtime community leader and Rotarian Herb Traub, will provide a new public gathering area and seating improvements within the city’s signature park. Under the agreement, the Rotary clubs will raise the money, select contractors and pay for construction of the project, while the city will provide in-kind services such as demolition, grading, concrete work, landscaping, irrigation and lighting and will assume ownership and maintenance responsibilities once construction is complete. The project is contingent on the Rotary clubs securing sufficient third-party contributions to fund the work.
Eastern Wharf Parking Garage Financing Receives First Reading
The city council held a first reading for about $31 million in Downtown Savannah Authority bond financing for a parking garage at Eastern Wharf. The proposed financing supports construction of a new parking facility to serve the growing mixed-use riverfront development. Revenue from the 400-space garage is expected to pay down the bonds. The request will return to council for a second reading and final consideration at a future meeting.
LATEST CITY NEWS
- Italian eatery, Georgia wine hall and medieval torture museum among past proposals for former Olympia Cafe space
- Olympia Café will not reopen at Gamble Building, city to rebid space
- Civic Center Gets Green Light for Early Voting
- Savannah spending $9M to fix historic Waterworks building, still not totally sure what to do with it
- City Plans Solar Expansion at Enmarket Arena
- Gordonston Art Fair Returns Feb. 28 with 50+ Local Artists
- City of Savannah Announces Findings of Ground Penetrating Radar Survey at Whitefield Square
TRANSPARENCY SCORE
Agenda availability
Days ahead of meeting (1-5): 5
Posted online: (0-1): 1
Meeting packet (0-2): 2
Meeting accessibility
Video/audio (0-1): 1
Streamed online (0-1): 1
Minutes availability
Availability online (0-2): 2
Detail (0-2): 2
Responsiveness
Email inquiries (0-2): 2
Total: 16 out of 16
Context: The Savannah City Council meetings are very accessible, and the city has been consistently responsive to my inquiries.