Savannah fairgrounds purchase delayed as staff examines property (apartment complex, homes)

[Airforceguy]

I could see this site becoming a mixed-use, mixed-income development. It seems like that would be a good fit for the area...

Now almost a year since the fairgrounds deal was approved, the new council is trying to figure out how to pay for new surveillance cameras, police vehicles and additional officers they believe will help curtail the increase in crime.

City officials won’t provide details about what is holding up the sale, but the delay has taken long enough for the Exchange Club to schedule another fair at the site in November. Last year’s event was expected to be the last at the location.

Foster said he has heard there have been some issues discovered with the property that would make it worth less than the approved purchase amount, which he thought was too much to begin with. Still, Foster said he would support the acquisition if there is a good public use for the property, such as the development of recreational facilities, and the property can be bought at a low enough price.

“The current contract value is not there,” he said.

Feiler Park residents had asked the city to purchase the property, but neighborhood association president Betty Jones said they primarily wanted the city to develop the property for recreational use, including possibly a water park, to provide activities for young people throughout the city to use. The housing aspect, however, did raise some concerns among Jones and other residents about traffic and crime.

On Tuesday, Jones said residents would prefer single-family homes be built rather than an apartment complex if a housing component is necessary. However, Jones said residents remain supportive of the city’s plan to purchase the property and keep it out of the hands of private developers that could build something worse at the location. Now that the council has come to an agreement on the location of the new arena, Jones said residents hoped the fairgrounds purchase would again get some attention.

“We haven’t gotten to the table yet because they are still in “due diligence,” she said.

In the meantime, no one is talking publicly about the reason’s behind the delayed purchase and the project remains at an apparent standstill.

Savannah fairgrounds purchase delayed as staff examines property | SavannahNow

[SavannahLife]

Or move Yamacraw Village there..

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by Airforceguy

I could see this site becoming a mixed-use, mixed-income development. It seems like that would be a good fit for the area...

Savannah fairgrounds purchase delayed as staff examines property | SavannahNow

Ok, so what has never been delayed, ever? I am guessing there will be a study involved. As I have said several times, the people who are elected, are elected to make decisions, not to hire firms to make studies, but what do I know?