Municipal Master Planning
Westside Canal District
Savannah, Georgia
A critical component of Savannah's city-side redevelopment master plan was the Westside project.
The objective was to create a regional multi-use urban district featuring new arena, entertainment, offices, retail and residential which would form the catalyst for the Westside Redevelopment of Savannah, west of the historic district. |
A key component of Savannah's city redevelopment master plan is the Westside Canal District Mixed-Use Project. Because of the low land area, Perdue used remediation to create lakes while providing fill for the mixed-use area to bring the Westside district above the flood plane, as well as reopen and enhance the scenic appeal of the canals, in particular the historic Savannah-Ogeechee Canal, one of the prime relics in the history of Southern canals completed in 1830 and the main means of transporting goods from the Port of Savannah to Augusta and north Georgia.
The mixed-use Canal District project will create a regional multi-use urban environment forming the catalyst for the Westside redevelopment of Savannah, adjacent to downtown Savannah. This project will include: Residential to add critical mass to sustain around-the-clock activity and add the greater feeling of permanence; Office Development including Class 'A' office, an Administrative Complex featuring renovation of the historic 1896 Waterworks Building into a 40,000 square foot multi-story office complex; Entertainment and Retail, including a new 12,000 seat arena ($60 million) and a 2,500 seat performing arts center, along with expanded retail areas to draw from the present mall-based Savannah retail environment that presently exists.
The redevelopment will be organized around streets, parks, plazas and squares, in line with Oglethorpe's original vision for the city but featuring location of key project components around central public areas for gatherings, etc., and expanded parking and greenways connecting both canals from the Savannah River throughout the Westside Canal District going west and south along the canals.
The mixed-use Canal District project will create a regional multi-use urban environment forming the catalyst for the Westside redevelopment of Savannah, adjacent to downtown Savannah. This project will include: Residential to add critical mass to sustain around-the-clock activity and add the greater feeling of permanence; Office Development including Class 'A' office, an Administrative Complex featuring renovation of the historic 1896 Waterworks Building into a 40,000 square foot multi-story office complex; Entertainment and Retail, including a new 12,000 seat arena ($60 million) and a 2,500 seat performing arts center, along with expanded retail areas to draw from the present mall-based Savannah retail environment that presently exists.
The redevelopment will be organized around streets, parks, plazas and squares, in line with Oglethorpe's original vision for the city but featuring location of key project components around central public areas for gatherings, etc., and expanded parking and greenways connecting both canals from the Savannah River throughout the Westside Canal District going west and south along the canals.