Study: Savannah’s Historic District in ‘imminent danger’ (Warner Robins: hotels, houses)

[Airforceguy]

The National Park Service recently released an Integrity and Condition Assessment of the Savannah National Historic Landmark District, conducted at the request of Historic Savannah Foundation. The report recommends Savannah’s district be placed on the “Threatened (Priority 1 List),” meaning the city’s National Historic Landmark District has suffered, or is in imminent danger of, a severe loss of integrity."

Study: Savannah's Historic District in 'imminent danger' - News - Savannah Morning News - Savannah, GA

[Fountain-of-youth]

Sucks for the new development.

[masonbauknight]

New development within the HD sucks (much of it anyway). Those who want "more development" can live in Warner Robins.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by Fountain-of-youth

Sucks for the new development.

Originally Posted by masonbauknight

New development within the HD sucks (much of it anyway). Those who want "more development" can live in Warner Robins.

So what do you propose we do with all the vacant lots, crumbling buildings (abandoned power plant) and mid-century ugliness that’s long outlived its purpose?

[WanderingImport]

Savannah is not a bubble. Development is going to happen. Better care should be done to ensure the city retains its character.

A good start would be when the civic center is demolished and an old square is restored.

[SavannahLife]

Wandering, that would be good. News, the existing crumbling buildings yes, we should preserve structurally. The midcentury or ugly stuff maybe not. I like seeing old bricks. I was thinking, sometimes it seems like papering over the brick with concrete and fake 'historic' stuff looks kind of weird, like you may as well just build new. The Powerplant Kessler hotel I was so excited about. But you know what, it's barely what I expected. They only left the smoke stacks.

OK, I'll be honest, I like the size and general character of the city as is. Sure, infill as per the Oglethorpe plan. But giant hotels with min wage jobs, perhaps we can do better. It is a bit ironic as well.. tourists come here to see the historic district. Personally, I'd rather have more trees and open area, and see historic buildings put to re-use and with new businesses. Or incentivize reuse. In fact, as a half-serious philosophical question; why do we need so much growth, in general? If population stays about the same does a city die? I mean, won't the same amount of people continue to visit restaurants and businesses? Nevertheless Wandering is right the city will grow anyway. If it does, How about put the large hotels, tall buildings etc west of MLK or even closer to 95, to build a new urban core vs the HD. Is that crazy?? Maybe there is compromise? For now, with all the variances it seems like the hotels get everything they want every time. At least maybe we can use this as pausing point to take stock?

[Mutiny77]

It should be remembered that while much midcentury architecture may not be considered as beautiful as older architectural types, we are already living in an era where midcentury architecture is starting to be considered as historic. It would be a shame if we repeated the same mistakes towards that architectural style as we did towards 18th, 19th, and early 20th century architectural styles during the WW2 era and afterwards.

[eliza61nyc]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

So what do you propose we do with all the vacant lots, crumbling buildings (abandoned power plant) and mid-century ugliness that’s long outlived its purpose?

Why does every vacant lot need to be filled with a building? crumbling buildings can be restored depending on the degree of crumbling.


Soo I live in PHilly and take a lesson on development gone wrong. Philadelphia as everyone knows is considered the birth place of America, yada yada yada constitution Hall, Betsy ross house, Old city, Elfreth's Alley (supposedly the oldest residential block in America), unfortunately during the housing boom the city allowed developers to run amok and unchecked. Translation, cheap glass and plastic monstrosity that are square and look like vertical cargo shipping containers have gone up all over the place.

Now after realizing it was really gutting the city and making it look like a watered down Chicago, the city is trying to reverse the trend. Houses and neighborhoods in Old city and else where that are original command top dollar simply because they have character.

Now I'm coming from a visitor/hope retiree relocator view point but I would hate to see that happen to Savannah and it would definitely influence my decision about relocating here.

Savannah must have a historical preservation society? can they help

[SavannahLife]

nice post eliza. I was thinking, we should endeavor to maintain enough room to replant the next generation of live oaks, and put curbs beside them. They are our secret sauce. And walking around this week, the azaleas never cease to blow my mind!! Hm it would be so neat if they had an azalea that bloomed even more of the year. Oglethorpe Ave is quiet spectacular now! I love all the trees and plants around the city. I hope that's kept up through time.

[Fountain-of-youth]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

It should be remembered that while much midcentury architecture may not be considered as beautiful as older architectural types, we are already living in an era where midcentury architecture is starting to be considered as historic. It would be a shame if we repeated the same mistakes towards that architectural style as we did towards 18th, 19th, and early 20th century architectural styles during the WW2 era and afterwards.

It would be a shame if we repeated the same mistakes towards that architectural style as we did towards 18th, 19th, and early 20th century architectural styles during the WW2 era and afterwards.

I know two prime examples....