Developer clears last hurdle for hotel near West River Street

[Newsboy]

"The project will add about 400 hotel rooms, 26,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space and 65,000 square feet of outdoor communal space to the waterfront. The centerpiece will be a full restoration of the existing brick early industrial-style plant, built in 1912, and the later addition from the 1940s.

Kessler said a more recent plan he’s made is to place a historic pipe organ inside of the main building and holding noonday concerts on the river, so people can enjoy lunch with music outside and inside."

I'm curious what will be in the two new buildings on the east end of the property. Is that the retail / restaurant / entertainment space? Or hotel rooms?

[SavannahLife]

Wandering I imagine this elev will have more of a view. So, I meant those buildings between River and Bay, more on bay..are we are talking about the same ones? The one that is really ugly is the Quality Inn. The Best Western next door is no looker either. Opportunities for improvement...

news these details sound great. The attention to detail the city has developers put into projects like this will more than payoff. For the developers as well as citizens. Sounds like one of the coolest hotels here to stay in. Hm now I am thinking of phantom of the opera theme.

[Grayfru]

I am very exited to see what the new hotel will look like in person! And with the organ on the inside, it should really spruce up the area! (I hate those two smokestacks though.) And with the Hue, it looks like more activity is beginning in west River street.

[Airforceguy]

Savannah River Street hotel developer wants bigger tax break | savannahnow.com

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by Airforceguy

Savannah River Street hotel developer wants bigger tax break | savannahnow.com

I hope this doesn't stall the project. Something this big deserves special dispensation.

[pink caddy]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Something this big deserves special dispensation.

That's usually given by the Pope. He will be in the U.S. in mid-Sept. Hopefully we can get it done before then.

[cnd33]

I hope this project happens. It's a great project. Augusta needs to try to get a developer to do this with their mills.

[Airforceguy]

Proposed Savannah Riverwalk extension prompts federal environmental concerns | savannahnow.com

[Newsboy]

Wah wah wah!!

[Airforceguy]

The riverwalk extension has been approved...

In a 3-2 vote Friday, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Marshlands Committee approved the westward extension to developer Richard Kessler’s proposed Plant Riverside hotel complex.

Concerns about the inclusion of the platform that would stretch seaward from the riverwalk led to the split vote, said Karl Burgess, of the DNR.

Staff had recommended against the platform, which would be located at the northern terminus of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, because the stage doesn’t depend on water and there is a non-marsh alternative.

In addition, staff had concerns about the platform creating a conflict between recreational and commercial vessels because the extended stage would allow boaters to view performances there.

Ultimately, a majority of the committee members thought the platform was in the public’s best interest, Burgess said.

Savannah Riverwalk extension approved by state, despite concerns | savannahnow.com