NEWS RELEASE

September 12, 2018

For Immediate Release

City Holds Savannah Arena Public Meeting

SAVANNAH, GA (September 12, 2018) — The City of Savannah held public meeting this evening at the Savannah Civic Center to allow the public to speak directly with the Savannah Arena design team and help shape the new arena.

The Savannah Arena’s project management team Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL),the design contractor Perkins + Will and City staff presented information about the project, including the timeline, preliminary survey results, and examples of other mid-sized state-of-the-art arenas.

Dozens of concerned citizens attended the meeting. They had opportunity to see what features other arenas have and weighed in as to what amenities they would like in Savannah’s arena. The options range from seating types, to family fun zones, to types of food and beverage vendors. Alderman Van Johnson and Mayor Pro Tem Carol Bell were also on hand to talk to citizens.

Anyone who could not attend tonight’s meeting but would like to have a voice can complete an online five-question survey and rank what they feel are the most important interior and exterior features of the new arena. So far close to 1,000 people have taken the survey. The survey can be found on the City’s website at http://savannahga.gov/arena.

The City is planning to hold a series of Town Hall meetings to answer questions and solicit feedback about the arena in the coming weeks in each aldermanic district. On October 30 another public meeting will be held at the Civic Center to present preliminary design concepts for the public to weigh in on.

The City hopes to have the Savannah Arena under construction in mid-2019 with preliminary site clearing beginning as early as this winter.