Changes coming to River Street (Savannah: fit in, high crime, hotels)

[Airforceguy]

These two developments should help liven up the west end of River Street a lot.
8172350_G by brandon walker, on Flickr

8172352_G by brandon walker, on Flickr

8172353_G by brandon walker, on Flickr

Two developers are presenting plans to build four hotels, 17 food venues, thousands of square feet of meeting space, a park, live music acts and maybe even a pirate's museum. It would all be near the intersection of River Street and MLK Boulevard.

Hotel Developer, Richard Kessler, is planning to break ground by the end of this year on his three hotels. He says this will be his biggest project to date.

The old Georgia Power plant site on River Street, with its two iconic smokestacks, will also be renovated and expanded for the developments.

Kessler plans to have the work complete by the first quarter of 2018.

Changes coming to River Street - WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports

[SavannahLife]

Looks nice! I love they are including a park. Now this is how we do it in Savannah.

[Newsboy]

"Should help ... " ?! No! This development will be a game-changer for ALL of the river front. Quite simply, Savannah has never seen a development of this size or calibre -- at least not since the Hyatt Regency 35 years ago

[Airforceguy]

Newsboy, this is true. It will be a game changer not only for the west end of River Street, but for downtown overall as well. I honestly believe between this project, the canal district and the time share project on Hutchinson Island, Savannah overall will look and feel quite different in 10 years.

[SavannahLife]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

"Should help ... " ?! No! This development will be a game-changer for ALL of the river front. Quite simply, Savannah has never seen a development of this size or calibre -- at least not since the Hyatt Regency 35 years ago

Well that's an interesting hotel / building to note... It sure affected riverfront. Not only is it visually.. let's say sub-optimal, but it stole watefront area, created a weird tunnel, and they made no effort to fit in. It gobbled up and stole public space. Plus that first floor room with glass windows on the water with the ugly 80s carpet is always empty. Just imagine.. that could be open waterfront patio with commercial storefronts behind it and some landscaping, like the rest of the Plaza...

The Powerplant is nice. Preserving the stacks, cool. Kessler also did a great job with Rocks on the River.

I wonder if the revitalization on the West End will help lower crime in the region?

[Al G]

Great addition for Savannah. To bad the renderings aren't clearer visually, maybe it's the coloring.
I disagree with Savnnah Life though, I think the stacks should go away. They are a distraction.

[midgeorgiaman]

This will be great. I always felt like the west end of River Street and the historic district as a whole was sort of ignored and I just assumed it was because it is closer to high crime areas--not that I felt unsafe there, but I can see how others could get that impression. That whole area is so close to the core of the historic district that this development should be a catalyst for other developments nearby.

As far as the Hyatt goes, as a visitor...it is weird. I know it happened in the 70s and would never get approved today, but that tunnel thing needs to go. As another poster said, remove that glass banquet room at street level and at least the tunnel becomes open air to the river. I know...never going to happen. At least it serves as a daily reminder to anyone in Savannah who may question the need for such rigid zoning in the historic district!

[SavannahLife]

^ Precisely. I think the historic district spurs creativity and attention to detail. It was what we could call a learning experience! Though the tunnel does create interesting acoustics for the a cappella guyst that are down there often. (they are very good!) The area will get safer, after the Yamacraw projects get relocated farther westward to make space for this revitalization.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by Al G

Great addition for Savannah. To bad the renderings aren't clearer visually, maybe it's the coloring.
I disagree with Savnnah Life though, I think the stacks should go away. They are a distraction.

Oh no totally disagree about the stacks. They are quite imposing and can be seen from pretty much everywhere along the river. Will make an excellent light feature.

[SavannahLife]

They are the best part! I hear they will build a room on top of one of them. Just kidding. Although...imagine an elevator running up to an observation deck on them...interesting thought. And dizzying.