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Savannah leaders say roughly $50 million in federal and state grants are advancing street, housing and solar projects
Summary
At a Sept. 26 City Council workshop, Savannah officials credited a concerted grant strategy for bringing about $50 million in federal and state funding and outlined projects including Safe Streets corridor work, move-in-ready homes, a $720,000 IMR traffic study and a Solar for All outreach program. Council raised questions about community engagement and ARPA accounting.
Savannah officials on Sept. 26 told the City Council workshop that an intensified strategy to prepare shovel-ready projects and build grant-writing capacity has helped the city secure roughly $50 million in federal and state funding for infrastructure, housing and energy programs.
Mayor Van R. Johnson II and City Manager Jay Melder framed the update by saying the city’s visibility in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., and partnerships with federal staff have improved Savannah’s competitiveness for large awards. The City Manager asked Chief Planning & Economic Development Officer Faye DiMassimo and Interim Chief of Information and Public Affairs Joe Shearouse to present details of grants on file with the Clerk of Council.
Why it matters: Officials said the money will be applied to long-standing local priorities including stormwater projects, safe streets improvements, and housing rehabilitation, and that having projects ready to go makes federal advocacy more effective. Alderman Nick Palumbo praised staff for “bringing home to Savannah $50 million within a two–three year span,” noting the work requires coordinated political and technical effort.
Key programs and numbers: Staff said the Safe Streets for All award targets the 37th Street Corridor — identified by incidents and fatalities — and that the work spans council districts 1, 2 and 3. Alderwoman Alicia Miller Blakely requested the specific 15 intersection improvements (listed by staff as Ogeechee Road, Bulloch Street, MLK Jr. Boulevard, Montgomery Street, Barnard Street, Whitaker Street, Bull Street, Drayton Street, Abercorn Street, Habersham Street, Price Street, East Broad Street, Paulsen Street, Harmon Street, and Waters Avenue down to Bee Road) and five neighborhoods (Live Oak, Midtown, Thomas Square, Metropolitan and Cuyler-Brownsville).
On housing and transportation, the presentation described a move-in-ready homes program and a $720,000 Interchange Modification Report (IMR) intended to provide an in-depth traffic analysis to support Georgia Department of Transportation decisions and potential corridor restoration and economic development.
Energy and equity: DiMassimo described the Solar for All grant as aiming to provide rooftop solar to 6,000 residential rooftops and to extend affordable-energy benefits to about 14,000 additional homes; staff also cited expanded electricity-discount outreach and a Georgia Power 65-plus senior discount of $33.50. Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan said an Alhambra apartment complex that received rooftop solar reported significant bill reductions.
Council concerns and next steps: Several alderpersons pressed staff on community engagement and transparency. Alderwoman Carolyn H. Bell said public attendance at outreach forums has been low and urged broader, culturally sensitive engagement. Alderwoman Bernetta B. Lanier asked for a clear accounting of ARPA spending and emphasized the need for accessible meeting locations and culturally competent contractors for projects affecting marginalized neighborhoods.
No formal actions were taken at the workshop; staff said they will return with materials and outreach plans as projects move into implementation. The workshop adjourned at 12:59 p.m.
