From the President:
I wanted to pass along a few items of interest:
Civic Center
Last Thursday, April 25, members of the Board, as well as several residents, met with city officials to discuss the plans for the current Civic Center location as part of the city's outreach to various stakeholders. The DNA was one of several organizations scheduled to meet with the city that day.
During the discussion we were shown designs for what is currently being proposed. Designs that are the same as we discussed with you in our June 5, 2023 weekly newsletter. You can read a copy here. The current plans and discussion include the retention and renovation of the Johnny Mercer Theater and the construction of a city office building fronting on Oglethorpe St. (Strangely it was suggested that this would possibly be a six-story office building. This height would be two floors above what the zoning ordinance allows, without some variances.)
As you may recall we also conducted a member poll last June and received 160 responses. Sixty-six percent of those who responded supported the full demolition of the civic center and theater. You can view the poll results here.
There is a public meeting scheduled for May 7, from 6-8 pm, to be held at the Civic Center Ballroom. We encourage everyone interested in this large development to attend and offer comments and hear directly from the city about the future of this location. The city's website also has a lot of information available to review before the meeting. That info can be accessed here.
This is the largest redevelopment in the National Historic Landmark District in many years. Its impact will be felt by generations to come. We should all have an interest and voice in the final outcome of this redevelopment.
Local Elections
Today, Monday, April 29th, is the first day of early voting in Chatham County. Early voting is open until May 17. Election Day is May 21. As usual, the Civic Center is an early voting location. The Civic Center also will be open the weekend of May 11 and 12 for voting.
This election is both a primary (Partisan) and a general election (Non-Partisan) so it is important that we vote. Partisan races include the Sheriff, District Attorney, Tax Commissioner, and County Commissioners. The Non-Partisan positions include Judges and School Board. The winner of non-partisan positions on May 21 will win the office.
You can find information about candidates as well as your voting status by checking here.
David McDonald
President
Downtown Neighborhood Association Savannah, GA Inc.