Week in Review - June 14-20 – Savannah Agenda

Garden City imposes data center moratorium

On June 15, the Garden City Council unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on new data center applications and permits, temporarily halting the acceptance, processing and issuance of approvals for new data centers while the city studies their potential impacts and considers zoning regulations tailored to the industry. The resolution applies to facilities that house computer servers and related infrastructure, including artificial intelligence processing and digital asset mining operations, but exempts existing data centers, complete applications already submitted and internal server rooms incidental to a business, school or government building. The moratorium is intended to give city officials time to review issues such as electrical demand, water consumption, noise from cooling systems and generators, and other land-use impacts before allowing additional development.

Pooler moving ahead with impact fees

Pooler officials said they remain on schedule to implement development impact fees, with state reviewers already returning comments on the city’s proposed Capital Improvements Element and fee program. During a June 15 workshop, city officials said the impact fee ordinance is expected to be brought back to the city council for adoption in July. The proposed ordinance would establish the entire city as a single impact fee benefit district and set fees intended to ensure new development pays a proportionate share of the cost of expanded infrastructure and capital improvements.

Chatham rejects Port Wentworth’s request to join CAT district

Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis recently rejected Port Wentworth’s request to join the Chatham Area Transit service and taxing district, citing the county’s challenge to a state-imposed CAT board shakeup. In his June 16 letter to Port Wentworth Mayor Tracy Saunders, Ellis said he supports the city’s desire to join the district but noted they are in litigation with CAT over the state legislation that restructured the authority’s board and reduced the county’s majority control over appointments. Read the full story>

Port Wentworth extends moratorium on residential development, unveils budget

On June 18, the Port Wentworth City Council approved a six-month extension of its moratorium on rezoning property to residential classifications, with city officials citing continued rapid growth, available housing inventory and the need to ensure infrastructure and public services keep pace with development. City officials said Port Wentworth’s population grew by about 2,700 residents, more than 18%, over the past year. Port Wentworth officials also took the first step toward adopting a fiscal year 2027 budget, proposing no increase to the city’s property tax rate while adding public safety positions and funding major infrastructure projects to accommodate continued growth. Budget hearings are scheduled for June 25 before the council considers final adoption of the spending plan.

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.

JUNE 7-13

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.

**Rendering of the Windsor Forest Community Center.**

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 second reading is scheduled for June 25.

Tybee approves AJ’s plan

Tybee Island City Council approved on June 11 the redevelopment of AJ’s Dockside restaurant after a lengthy public hearing that drew strong public support for the project. Residents praised the restaurant as a longtime Tybee institution and said planned improvements, including a covered walkway and accessibility enhancements, would benefit both visitors and residents. The application was approved on a 5-1 vote, with Councilmember Nick Sears opposed. Watch the meeting (Facebook)

CAT publishes proposed 2027 fiscal year budget

Chatham Area Transit’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget would increase spending to $42.1 million while relying on $4.6 million in prior-year fund balances, $1.4 million in anticipated advertising and naming-rights revenue and continued county funding to offset the loss of $3.2 million in federal pandemic aid. The budget funds bus, paratransit and ferry operations, includes a $19.3 million capital plan for buses, ferry improvements and bus stop upgrades, and assumes about $14.9 million in transit tax revenue. CAT’s board is scheduled to hold public hearings and consider adoption of the budget by June 30.

The first reading will be held in a hybrid format:

In person: Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., CAT Central, 900 E. Gwinnett St.
To Join Virtually: https://www.youtube.com/ChathamAreaTransit

A second reading will also be held in a hybrid format:

In person: Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., CAT Central, 900 E. Gwinnett St.
To Join Virtually: https://www.youtube.com/ChathamAreaTransit

The board will consider adopting the proposed budget at its regular meeting on June 30, following the second hearing.

Thunderbolt focusing on addressing blighted properties

Thunderbolt officials are developing a community-based blight assistance program aimed at helping elderly, disabled and financially struggling residents maintain their properties rather than immediately pursuing code enforcement penalties. During Thursday’s town council meeting, Planning and Zoning Commissioner Nicholas Patrick outlined a proposal that would distinguish between property owners who cannot afford upkeep and those who simply refuse to maintain their properties. The program would enlist civic groups, including the Boy Scouts, seek state grants and donations from companies such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, and provide assistance with tasks such as cutting grass, trimming shrubs and making minor repairs. Patrick said the initiative would also establish hardship criteria based on income, disability, veteran status and probate situations while addressing abandoned and condemned properties that have become nuisances due to rodents and overgrowth. The council praised the proposal as an opportunity to strengthen community ties while addressing neighborhood blight.

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