Savannah city leaders in Atlanta to review Canal District design plans, tour sites
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah city council members were in Atlanta on Monday to review design plans for the new Savannah Arena and Canal District.
"There are two plans - the arena and the canal district. Everyone from the public is thinking it's just one plan,” District 3 Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan said.
Wilder-Bryan said Monday's meeting was like trying to fit 15 years of business in a few hours.
City staff wants the new council to be up to speed with each project ahead of important votes this year. The new arena and the master plan for the Canal District are separate, but related plans.
"It's important that we have the dialogue that we're having now so that they're clear as we proceed and make decisions on this, that they're making the best decisions for the community,” Planning and Urban Design Director Bridget Lidy said.
The hope is that the arena is the catalyst for west side redevelopment in the Canal District. The group toured Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward and the Beltline after the meeting. This gives examples for what can happen in Savannah.
It also gives council members more information to take back to their constituents.
"Moving forward, we can't discuss what wasn't did. We need to stay focused and get some solutions so that it's a win-win for the people of that community,” Wilder-Bryan said.
City leaders say the tour helps them visualize plans for the area. They plan to take these ideas home as the Canal District plans move forward.
The design firm, Perkins and Will, expects to have a draft of the Canal District master plan at council’s work session on Feb. 13. From there, council will decide what to do with the area.
Once again, this master plan is unrelated to the plans to build and complete the arena by early 2022.
The mayor and three council members couldn’t be at Monday’s meeting. The entire group will go back Thursday for Savannah-Chatham Day at the capital.
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