For Immediate Release
Date: August 15, 2017

The City of Savannah is expanding the first phase of the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Initiative to include West Bay Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Warner Street. All members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend the first community meeting:

West Bay Streetscape Improvement Initiative – Meeting 1: Discovery & VisioningAugust 22, 2017
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm Street, Savannah

The initial Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project area addressed Bay Street from East Broad to MLK. In recognition of West Bay Street as a major gateway into downtown Savannah, the City of Savannah recently added West Bay Street from MLK to Warner Street (base of the viaduct bridge) to the study area.

Building from the earlier work of the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project, the consultant team led by EDSA will utilize a similar process in working actively with the community throughout the conceptual design process. Project elements may include the potential for new sidewalks, new landscape, on-street parking, lighting and site furniture. Two community workshops will be held during the fall, with a final community presentation by the end of the year.

“This section of West Bay Street is a major gateway into downtown Savannah,” said Bridget Lidy, Director, Tourism Management & Ambassadorship Department for the City of Savannah. “Although we do not have implementation funds at this time, we felt it is important to build upon the work of the Streetscape Initiative to move forward now with planning and visioning along this section of West Bay Street.”

At this initial meeting, community discussion 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 ideas regarding the West Bay streetscape project. An online public survey will be launched at this time to gather further information. The City’s website, www.savannahga.gov/streetscape, includes more information and a link to sign up for email updates.

For more information, please contact: Bridget Lidy, Tourism Management & Ambassadorship Department at 912-525-3097.

About The Savannah Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project
In August 2016, City Council approved a design services contract with a 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.