By Eric Curl
Jan. 12, 2025 – While the city of Savannah is now moving forward with a redevelopment plan that includes tearing down the Martin Luther King. Jr. Arena, city officials have pledged to do more to honor the civil rights leader’s legacy. In what appears to be an attempt to make good on that pledge, the city recently issued a request for proposals (RFP) from contractors to explore a more comprehensive treatment of the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard corridor.
Similar to a project Norwalk, Conn. launched in 2019, the “MLK Celebration Corridor Initiative” is to include economic and community development, education, housing, safety, façade improvements, public art, lighting, and more. The initiative would identify a customized portfolio of projects and programming anchored on the north end by the MLK amphitheater at Plant Riverside and on the south end at Exchange Street.
“MLK corridors should be built and activated to be the most beautiful and safe in every city where they exist,” the RFP states.
The 9-month contract, with a maximum price of $50,000, is to include the development of an implementation strategy, identifying schedule, capital and operations costs, implementation partnerships, and the range of funding opportunities. In addition, the initiative is to build upon past planning efforts by the city and Metropolitan Planning Commission.
<Related – MLK Statue unveiling spurs controversy – Savannah Firest Timer’s Guide>
The city is also hoping to eventually get the state to remove the I-16 ramp at MLK, in an effort to reconfigure the lost local street network, improve safety and revitalize the one-vibrant corridor, as detailed in a 2022 presentation. In In December 2023, council members entered into an agreement with the Georgia Dept. of Transportation for preliminary engineering related to the flyover’s removal, as reported by the Savannah Morning News.
Meanwhile the annual MLK parade will be on Jan. 20 in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
If you find value in this website, please consider contributing above or via Paypal to help cover the costs. You can also send contributions via Venmo @Savannah_Agenda. 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 subscribing below and sharing Savannah Agenda with others via email or social media. Increasing readership is critical to the long-term success of this site.