For Immediate Release
Date: October 14, 2017

The City of Savannah held a major cleanup event in its “Savannah Shines” pilot neighborhood today. City staff along with the Edgemere-Sackville neighborhood association, its sponsors, residents, youth, and other organizations grabbed rakes, trash bags and other tools to remove trash and yard waste from the neighborhood.

The event began at the intersection of E. 54th and Cedar streets. The event also included music, activities for kids and food.

Edgemere-Sackville is bordered by East 53rd Street, Waters Avenue, Parnell Street and the Truman Parkway. This summer it was selected as the City of Savannah’s first “Savannah Shines” neighborhood. Neighborhood revitalization is one of the City’s top five priorities for the 2018 strategic plan “Savannah Forward”.

Mayor Eddie DeLoach was one of nearly 200 people who helped with today’s cleanup. “It’s a good turnout and they are cleaning up the streets, it’s amazing—the before and after, it’s really amazing. This is what we want to develop throughout all of Savannah,” he said.

City employees on the “Savannah Shines” team have been working with residents and property owners for the past several weeks to revitalize the neighborhood and improve public safety. The Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, Savannah Fire & Rescue Services, Workforce Coastal, Operation Clean Sweep, and many other City departments along with community partners set up information booths to educate the residents about employment opportunities, housing assistance, economic development and available social services.

“Savannah Shines” will continue in the Edgemere-Sackville neighborhood for approximately the next 18 months, before moving to another Savannah neighborhood.