Yamacraw Village Environmental Review
Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds
Finding of No Significant Impact
Background:
Federal regulations define the City of Savannah as the Responsible Entity (RE) charged with overseeing and making environmental review determinations and compliance findings for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assisted projects, including HUD-assistance sought by the Housing Authority of Savannah (HAS).
The proposed project description, provided by HAS for RE review, is below. In accordance with pertinent federal statutes, executive orders, and regulations, sixteen (16) environmental compliance factors were assessed. No action and rehabilitation alternatives were also considered. Due to deteriorating, obsolescent conditions of the development, rehabilitation necessary to reestablish quality, affordable housing is not financially practical. Further, under a no action alternative, the property is likely to continue to deteriorate in quality, value, and lead to widespread vacancy. HAS will be required to comply with mitigation measures related to flood insurance, contamination and toxic substances (lead-based paint and asbestos), the Endangered Species Act, the resulting Section 106 memorandum of agreement (MOA) for historic preservation, and floodplain management. It also reiterates that “a public housing authority must provide relocation assistance (e.g., the payment of actual and reasonable relocation expenses) to residential tenants.”
On or about November 17, 2025, the City of Savannah, as delegated Responsible Entity, will authorize the Housing Authority of Savannah (“Grantee”) to submit a request to the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (“HUD”) for the release of Capital Funds under Section 9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, to undertake a project known as Yamacraw Village Demolition, for the purpose of demolishing 315 public housing units and one administrative building located in Savannah, GA, which are eligible for demolition based on obsolescence in accordance to criteria established by 24 CFR 970.15 / Section 18. The project estimated cost is approximately $4.6 million.
HAS’s Proposed Undertaking:
The subject property (Parcel ID#s 200003‐24001, 200003‐24002, 20016‐05002, 20016‐06001, 20016‐07001, 20016‐18002 & 20017‐02001) consists of an approximately 21.63‐acre property that is currently developed with 42 two‐story multifamily residential buildings housing a total of 315 dwelling units and one (1) single‐story office building. The office building was constructed in 1938 and the multifamily buildings were constructed in 1940. Additional on‐site improvements include two playgrounds, a basketball court, a pavilion, outdoor seating areas, Straus Plaza, dumpster enclosures, tenant mailboxes, an Atlanta Gas Light Company natural gas utility building, concrete sidewalks, paved parking areas, and associated landscaping. The property also features two (2) accessory buildings (the 555 West Bay Street office building and the Curtis V. Cooper Building at 349 West Bryan Street, which houses a community center and doctor's office). The 555 West Bay Street office features Housing Authority of Savannah office and maintenance/storage sinpace. The 349 West Bryan Street community center and doctor's office features a community center space on the first floor that is unutilized. It should be noted that the Curtis V. Cooper Building at 349 West Bryan Street is not proposed for demolition/disposition.
The Housing Authority of Savannah is seeking demolition/disposition approval due to the obsolescent physical condition of the housing development[.] There are no plans for redevelopment at present. Any proposed redevelopment of the site will require a separate environmental review.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The activities proposed comprise a project for which a Finding of No Significant Impact on the human environment was determined. The Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is available at