By Eric Curl
April 3, 2023 – The newspaper’s name may still grace the building’s entrance, but Savannah Morning News employees recently moved out and the former owner is now taking steps to remove the last remnants of the publication’s presence at 1375 Chatham Parkway.
The city recently issued Augusta-based Morris Communications a permit to have Thompson Building Wrecking Co. dismantle, remove and dispose of the 20-year-old building’s newspaper presses, dock conveyors and associated gear at a cost of $70,000. In addition, Morris submitted a permit application to demolish the partition walls inside the newspaper’s mailroom.
The pending demolition comes after the newspaper’s printing press was shut down in January 2022 and the new owners moved printing operations to Gainesville, Fla. Prior to vacating the 20-year-old building in January, the newspaper was leasing the building after Morris sold the publication in 2017. Gannett Co., publisher of USA Today, acquired SMN about two years later through a merger.
Newsroom staff is now working remotely, as SMN continues to search for a new office location, according to a statement issued Monday from Executive Editor Jill Nevels-Haun.
“We remain committed to covering Savannah and the greater Chatham County area, producing powerful local news — such as our recent podcast series ‘Tripwire,’ that investigates an explosion in 1971 at the Thiokol Chemical plant in Woodbine,” Nevels-Haun said. “The series included a panel discussion, co-hosted with Savannah State University.”
Regarding press operations, Gannett is making “strategic decisions to ensure the future of local journalism and continue our outstanding service to the community,” according to a statement issued by the company.
“As our business becomes increasingly digital and subscription-focused, newspaper printing partnerships have become standard,” the statement said.
After the newspaper moved to Chatham Parkway in late 2004, the “state-of-the-art” building was celebrated with a dedication event attended by more than 300 guests invited to get a sneak peak, according to the paper’s news coverage at the time. The $37 million investment was touted for its modern printing capabilities, extra storage capacity and newsroom’s technological advances, all designed to perform the “daily miracle” that the almost 400 employees achieved every day by getting the newspaper into the hands of the publication’s readers. 
The Savannah Morning News building at 1375 Chatham Parkway. Eric Curl/March 28, 2023
While built for the Savannah Morning News in 2003, Morris has leased the building to a number of additional tenants, including Savannah Magazine, WJCL, Fox28 Savannah, and the city of Savannah. Savannah Magazine moved to 6602 Abercorn St. in February, while the city departed in December 2021 after leasing space there since January 2018. WJCL and Fox28, as well as internet provider Clearwave Fiber remain occupants.
Savannah Agenda reached out to Morris last week for comment regarding plans for the building and that information will be provided if a response is received. Editor’s note: The author of this article was a Savannah Morning News reporter from 2005-2019.
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