Canal District

News & Updates

• City hosts Canal District open house

  On February 17, 2026, the City hosted an open house meeting on the Canal District, to gather public input on future land uses and development options for the area. The session explored redevelopment opportunities for City-owned land, most notably the historic Water Works Pump House, to help guide future land use, investment, and development in ways that meet community needs. View the Presentation

• Canal District Master Plan 
• Action Playbook

The Canal District is the City of Savannah’s premier planning and development initiative. Anchored by the new SPLOST-funded arena, the Canal District is located on the west side of Savannah near the intersection of Gwinnett Street and Stiles Avenue. The arena and surrounding district are one of the largest projects the City has ever undertaken and present the opportunity to create a vibrant new center of activity adjacent to Savannah’s "downtown."

On October 9, 2025, the Savannah City Council unanimously approved the Canal District Master Plan and Action Playbook. Together titled Common Ground: The Master Plan for Savannah’s Canal District and the companion Action Playbook: Collective Implementation of the Canal District Master Plan, these documents were developed through a community-driven planning process launched in 2019.

The comprehensive plan lays out a vision for equitable, resilient growth across the Canal District, which includes neighborhoods such as Brickyard, Carver Village, Cloverdale, and West Savannah. It emphasizes preserving cultural identity, restoring natural systems, improving mobility and infrastructure, and expanding economic opportunity.

The Action Playbook establishes an implementation framework to coordinate efforts among City departments, community partners, and residents. The plan aligns with the City’s GPS Strategic Plan, particularly Goal 3: Expand Economic Access, Opportunity and Vitality for All.

Approval of these documents will guide future development and investment in the Canal District and serve as a blueprint for collaboration and inclusive progress.

To support the preservation of the area, the Historic and Cultural Resources Report was completed to identify historically significant structures, development patterns, and neighborhood boundaries. The report also provides documentation and recommendations for the protection of historic resources within the Canal District. A second survey was completed focusing on the surrounding area. 

Please call 912-429-3364 or email us for additional information on how to learn more about the Canal District Master Plan.