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Developers present $250 million plan for East River Street; city to review development agreement
Summary
Petitioners propose a $250 million East River Street development that would donate land to the city and include below-grade infrastructure (lift station, elevator, staircase, pedestrian bridge) and above-ground hotel and pedestrian improvements; staff said a development agreement and staff analysis will be on a future agenda.
An attorney for the petitioner, Harold Yellin, and representatives of the development team presented a proposed $250 million East River Street project at the Nov. 7 Savannah City Council work session that would donate the land to the city and include significant below-grade infrastructure and above-ground hotel and pedestrian improvements.
Yellin introduced Whip Triplett of North Point Hospitality, Michael Roach (project engineer, Thomas & Hutton) and Pat Shay (project architect). Roach described the below-ground infrastructure in detail and distributed diagrams; Shay showed above-ground elevations and pedestrian improvements. The proposal includes infrastructure improvements such as a lift station, elevator, staircase and a pedestrian bridge. The city manager told council that parking will be privately developed and managed.
Council members sought clarification about infrastructure scope and responsibilities: Alderman Julian Miller asked about the size of the area served by a proposed lift station (Bilbo area); Alderwoman Dr. Estella E. Shabazz asked about the city’s portion of infrastructure costs; Alderman Brian Foster requested that all infrastructure improvements be completed at once to avoid future River Street disruptions. Alderman Tony Thomas asked whether the land set aside for a hotel would be sufficient for the proposed building.
Why it matters: The project would reshape the east end of River Street, involve substantial private investment, and require a development agreement that defines the city’s responsibilities for infrastructure and maintenance.
Next steps: Staff will prepare a development agreement and analysis for council consideration at a subsequent meeting; no formal action on the project was recorded at the Nov. 7 work session.
