| City of Savannah | Site owner and project lead |
| RCLCO (Jake Ross, Managing Partner) | Real estate and land use consultant |
| EDSA (Kona Gray, Principal) | Design and planning consultant |
| Savannah City Council | Resolution authority |
| Community residents | Input participants |
Timeline
- October 2025: First community open house; residents weigh in on development options.
- February 2026: City and consultants present development scenario at second open house.
- 2026 (planned): MLK Jr. Arena demolition begins, freeing four acres.
- Coming months: Final report with definitive project recommendations expected.
- TBD: Phased development begins — apartments and ground-floor retail first.
What to Watch Next
- The final RCLCO/EDSA report will include implementation options — watch for whether the city pursues a single master developer or a parcel-by-parcel RFP approach.
- Retail tenant recruitment will be a key signal: local-first language in the RFP would distinguish this project from typical urban redevelopments.
- Monitor the Johnny Mercer Theatre renovation timeline, as theater activation is the anchor for retail viability on this site.
- Track adjacent property values on Montgomery, Barnard, and Perry Streets — the four-acre development will create a ripple effect on surrounding commercial parcels.
Let’s Talk
The west side is moving. If you own or are eyeing commercial property near the Civic Center corridor, now is the time to understand your position.
- Investors: We track every city-initiated redevelopment project and can identify adjacent opportunity parcels before the market prices in the news.
- Tenants: If you’re a local retailer or food and beverage operator looking for ground-floor space in an emerging neighborhood, let’s talk.
📞 912.353.7707 | 🌐 piercommercial.com | 📸 @piercommercial