FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 29, 2016

The City of Savannah is launching the first phase of the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Initiative, which includes improvements for Broughton Street, Bay Street, and River Street.  All members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend the first community meeting:

Downtown Streetscape Improvement Initiative – Meeting 1:  Discovery
December 5, 2016
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm Street, Savannah

“This first phase of the Streetscape Improvement Initiative addresses three of our most prominent downtown streets – Broughton Street, Bay Street, and River Street,” said Bridget Lidy, Director, Tourism Management & Ambassadorship Department for the City of Savannah.  “After years of hearing ideas for these three streets, this project will move us from concept to design to construction for each.”  The project team is led by EDSA in conjunction with many local partners.  

This first meeting will provide the design team an opportunity to listen and gather important information from the community, City staff, and pertinent stakeholders. Initial inventory and analysis prepared by the EDSA Team will be presented to the public. Community members will have the opportunity to express any ideas regarding the downtown streetscapes project. An online public survey will be launched at this time to gather further information.  Future meetings are scheduled throughout the spring of 2017.  The City’s website, www.savannahga.gov/streetscape, includes more information and a link to sign up for email updates. 

Phase One of the Streetscape Improvement Initiative will seek to improve three of historic downtown’s most prominent streetscapes – Broughton Street, Bay Street, and River Street, between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to E. Broad Street – to create a rich and exciting pedestrian realm. The proposed street improvements will build on the best aspects of great streets in the U.S. and abroad, while capitalizing on Savannah’s highly visible location and landmark destination.

About The Savannah Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project

In August 2016, City Council approved a design services contract with diverse team led by EDSA for Phase One of the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Initiative.  The services include comprehensive planning, design, pre-construction, construction administration, and closeout services.  Improvements for Broughton Street, Bay Street and River Street will be designed and constructed during this project.  Future phases will enhance the public realm for corridors in the area from Liberty Street to the Savannah River and from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to E. Broad Street.