For Immediate Release
Date: February 14, 2017

The City of Savannah launched the first phase of the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Initiative in December, which includes improvements for Broughton Street, Bay Street, and River Street. All members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend the following upcoming community meetings about the project:

Downtown Streetscape Improvement Initiative
Conceptual Design Review Meetings
Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm Street, Savannah

• Monday, February 20, 2017 – Broughton Street
• Tuesday, February 21, 2017 – Bay Street
• Wednesday, February 22, 2017 – River Street

“We have been very pleased with the turnout for our first two meetings for the downtown streetscape initiative and the input we’ve received so far,” said Bridget Lidy, Director, Tourism Management & Ambassadorship Department for the City of Savannah. “These meetings are particularly exciting as we will begin to see more of the details fleshed out in the plans for all three streets – Broughton Street, Bay Street, and River Street.” The project team is led by EDSA in conjunction with many local partners.

The previous meeting unveiled two thematic approaches for the streetscape improvement initiative – coastal and historic. Based largely on community input received through the process to date, the design team will present conceptual designs for the three streets, focusing on one street per meeting. Following a general overview of the first two meetings, the design team will lead a discussion of the detailed program elements for streetscape improvements. The community will then have the opportunity to provide feedback during the meeting. 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.