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 Aug. 14 meeting is not 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
Savannah City Council OKs $31M Eastern Wharf financing, 123-acre annexation
The Savannah City Council approved a financing plan on July 9 for a new 400-space parking garage at Eastern Wharf, authorizing the issuance of about $31 million in bonds through the Downtown Savannah Authority. The bonds are expected to be repaid using parking revenue generated by the garage.
The city council also approved the annexation of about 123 acres along Fort Argyle Road into the city, clearing the way for the proposed Argyle Grove mixed-use development. The approval came after a lengthy public hearing featuring environmental objections, concerns from neighboring property owners, and questions about the development’s impact on the surrounding area. In response to concerns from adjacent homeowners, the developer agreed to a 50-foot buffer around existing residential properties.
Council adopts vision plan for Savannah waterfront, $1.5M first phase
The Savannah City Council on June 25 unanimously approved a long-range vision plan for Savannah’s historic waterfront and authorized a memorandum of understanding with the Savannah Waterfront Community Improvement District to begin implementing its first phase of improvements. The vision plan will serve as the city’s guiding framework for future waterfront planning, capital investments and public-private partnerships, while the agreement establishes a $1.5 million partnership to complete initial upgrades including decorative ironwork, lighting and refuse enclosures. The first phase will be managed by the improvement district, with the city providing engineering and project management support, as officials work toward enhancing River Street, Factors Walk and Bay Street while preserving the waterfront’s historic character.
Savannah planning expansion of Evergreen Cemetery, new office building
The city of Savannah issued an invitation to bid on June 18 for an Evergreen Cemetery expansion project, seeking a contractor to provide all labor, materials and equipment necessary to complete the work, with electronic bids due July 21. The city completed the acquisition of the cemetery at 4340 ACL Boulevard in 2023 after years of the poor maintenance. In addition, the city is seeking a construction manager to oversee the design and construction of a new $32 million office building at its Interchange Boulevard municipal complex, a project that will house approximately 100 additional city employees and be completed over an estimated 36-month period, according to the request for proposals.
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.
City acquiring property for I-16 flyover removal project
The Savannah City Council approved during the May 28 meeting the purchase of a Montgomery Street parcel needed for the planned removal of the Interstate 16 flyover ramp at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The city agreed to pay $700,000 for the property, which officials said is necessary to reconnect Berrien Street as part of the broader project. The planned purchase comes after voters approved $4 million for the flyover removal effort through the SPLOST 8 referendum. City officials say removing the ramp will help restore the historic street grid, improve connections between downtown and nearby neighborhoods, enhance pedestrian access and support future redevelopment along the MLK corridor.
New rum distillery coming to Savannah
A Florida-based rum distillery is planning to open a location in Savannah. The Savannah City Council approved on May 28 the company’s alcohol license application for 224 Bourne Boulevard, near the Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport. The company, Ziami Distillery, was established by two Army buddies in 2017, according to the website.
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.