Public-Private Development in Historic

Savannah

SAVANNAH in the 1750’s

Design Context Savannah Ward Plan

Design ContextRestoring Building Fabric

Decker Ward in its primeMercantile Center

Decker Ward in 2004

City Planning Process

• 1996 City plans to spend SPLOST funds for demolition of garage and restoration of square

• 1999 City conducts preliminary analysis of design for new garage– Plan to build under News-Press lot – 690 spaces

City Planning Process (2)

• 2000 City hires Cooper Carry Architects to prepare preliminary design for underground garage– Feasible with approximately 690 spaces

• 2001 City plans to use SPLOST funds for demolition of garage/ restoration of square

City Planning Process (3)

• 2002 study by Sottile & Sottile recommends:

– Demolition of old garage– Restoration of square– New buildings on surface lots to provide infill

Roadblocks to City Plans

• No ownership of necessary property- particularly Morning News site- very expensive to condemn

• Need for private party to share cost of garage

• Need for additional parking in neighborhood

• Long and complicated development process

Proposed Public-Private Partnership

• City of Savannah

• Downtown Savannah Authority

• Batson-Cook Development Company

• Whitaker Street Associates

News Place at Ellis Square Project

• Demolish old garage• Build new garage = 700+ spaces• Restore Ellis Square• Restore and beautify streetscape• Build new hotel on Morning News parking lot• Redevelop existing Morning News buildings

By: Terrence Horan & Scott m. Larson - Savannah Morning News - Feb. 11,

2007

By :Terrence Horan & Scott m. Larson - Savannah Morning News - Feb. 11, 2007

Batson-Cook’s Role as “Master Developer”

• Buy Morning News property • Contribute subterranean rights to parking lot to

City • Lease or pay for the cost of 250 parking spaces• Build hotel on Morning News parking lot• Redevelop existing Morning News buildings

Whitaker St. Associates’ Role

• Contribute subterranean rights to Authority

• Lease spaces in garage

• In the future: develop property above the garage

City’s Role

• Accept subterranean rights from Private Developers• Put out a Request for Proposals, and choose a design-

build contractor• Finance and build a 1075 space garage, and

foundation structures for new overhead hotel and office building

• Operate garage• Restore Ellis Square and surrounding streetscape

Timetable

• Oct. 04 City approves Project Concept• Nov. 04 City issues RFP for Garage design/build• Apr. 05 Historic Rev. Bd. Approves height /

mass• Apr. 05 City signs garage design/build contract

with Batson-Cook Company• Aug. 05 Parties approve final Project Agreement• Oct. 05 Bond Validation and Final Closing• May 08 Scheduled Completion

Advantages to Public

• Removes old garage and restores square

• Preserves National Landmark Historic District

• Adds parking places

• Adds job opportunities

• Expands tax base

ELLIS SQUARE IN 1940’S

Subdivision Map of News Place

News Place from Bay Street

East Building at News Place

West Building at News Place

Hotel Perspective

WB Barnard Office Bldg andGarage Entrance