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ML King, Jr. Streetscape courtesy of SDRA Hundreds of community, neighborhood and civic leaders have participated in the comprehensive planning processes to develop a framework for the revitalization and redevelopment of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Montgomery Street corridor.

Guided by the Savannah Development and Renewal Authority (SDRA) in conjunction with the City and the Metropolitan Planning Commission, these processes resulted in the development and adoption by the Mayor and Aldermen of two critical documents to serve as the blueprint for guiding the revitalization and redevelopment efforts: * MLK/Montgomery Street Corridor Revitalization Plan, River to Gwinnett Street, 1999 * MLK Streetscape Plan, 2001 * MLK/Montgomery Street Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan, Jones to 52nd Street, 2002 * MLK/Montgomery Land-use and Design Strategies, 2004.

More than 60% of the strategies have been put in place and are achieving results. As funding became available, $1.2 million was invested in phased streetscape improvements along the 52-block corridor, beginning first with planting and irrigation of the medians on MLK from Victory Drive north to Gwinnett Street in 2002; the block between Liberty Street and Oglethorpe Avenue in 2004; and incremental improvements to support private investment between Gwinnett and Zubly Streets.

Private property improvements along the corridor have been slower to take hold. Improvements have been challenging because of the shift in the economy, and the large segments of vacant land that resulted from the impact of the 1950's and 60's Urban Renewal efforts that brought the I-16 Flyover and exit ramps, as well as the public housing to the south.

Even with these challenges, more than $347 million in property improvements and acquisitions have taken place since 2000 along the corridor, resulting in a net gain of 185 new businesses and the creation of more than 886 new jobs. The bulk of this investment has been seen between the River and Gwinnett Street in keeping with the 1999 MLK/Montgomery Corridor Revitalization Plan strategies.

Seventeen (17) property owners have taken advantage of the low interest loan and grant funds available through the SDRA to rehab their properties along MLK, and another 27 have used SDRA's free design and technical assistance program to develop concepts for redevelopment and improvement of their properties. SDRA, City and MPC staff and partners are working with the property and business owners to help bring these projects to fruition.

Community Vision and Goals for Revitalization of the MLK/Montgomery Street Corridor.The vision for Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Montgomery Street from River Street to 52nd Street is that of a historic and diverse community which welcomes all people to the area for its commercial activity, architectural and cultural heritage, and boulevard appearance in a vibrant urban setting.

Looking to the Future

The groundbreaking ceremony for Carver Commons not only signals the viability of locating and developing new commercial centers along this critical gateway, but also fulfills a primary goal of both the 1999 and 2002 revitalization and redevelopment plans for the corridor with the commitment of Food Lion. This new full-service grocery store will serve the surrounding residential neighborhoods, and provide needed service throughout the downtown area to residents, students and employees.

New Development on the

Horizon

Over the past year and a half, several property owners have moved forward with improvements and investments with the assistance of SDRA's loan, grant and design assistance programs. The new Rancho Alegre, which opened this year at Jones and MLK, utilized SDRA's program to purchase and install their awning. Hollingsworth Auto at 500 Montgomery Street utilized the design assistance program to develop a plan for phased improvements to their 70-year-old property. Two of the phases, interior improvements and exterior improvements to improve the storefront and overhang, have already been completed. First Tabernacle Baptist Church at Alice and Montgomery participated in SDRA's design assistance program in 2008 and moved forward with installation of an architectural fence buffer for their new parking lot with assistance from SDRA's matching edge grant program. Several new projects are pending with storefront improvements to the new business, Accessories and More, at 1216 MLK utilizing the SDRA matching grant program, and the rehabilitation of the property at 351-355 MLK.

Much of the work that is being done is often not publicized and often not visually evident in the short term, but the benefits are enormous to both the revitalization effort and the property and/or business owner. Two such efforts have been with Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church at 1009 May Street and the May Street YMCA. The physical benefits of their participation with SDRA will take several years to be realized. However, the intrinsic benefits are being felt daily. Pastor Wilson Scott envisions growth in ministry, outreach and the Church facilities.

SDRA has been guiding a strategic planning process for the Church for the past year and half to chart their future growth and the steps to achieve that growth. Similar efforts have assisted YMCA Director Peter Doliber as the YMCA Board moves forward with a vision for refurbishment and growth for this historic YMCA.

Reversing the Mistakes

of the Past Another critical strategy identified by the community in the revitalization and redevelopment planning efforts was the potential for removal of the I-16 Flyover and exit ramps. This effort received a boost with the assistance of Commissioner Pat Shay and the County Commission's commitment of $1 million in SPLOST funding to conduct planning efforts to determine the feasibility of removal of the 40-year-old structure and to chart a path for redevelopment of the reclaimed land. That concentrated study is underway through the Metropolitan Planning Commission in conjunction with SDRA, the City of Savannah and Chatham County. Hundreds of citizens and community leaders participated in a three charrette and expo during February 2010 to provide input into the future of the 9 acres of potential reclaimed land. The study should be complete by fall of 2010.

Long-awaited

Streetscape

Improvements Awaiting approval of some final details between the City and Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the next phase of streetscape improvements is anticipated to begin this fall, commencing at Exchange Street and heading north to Gwinnett Street. Funding available for this phase totals $3.6 million. This southern most area of the corridor is in need of not only sidewalks, but landscaping and pedestrian amenities, and additional funding will be needed to complete the improvements north to the River.

Community Involvement A number of community and civic groups over the years have stepped up to offer assistance with the enormous revitalization tasks for this 52-block corridor. Annually, SDRA partners with the City of Savannah and Keep Savannah Beautiful to host corridor Clean Sweeps. The MLK/Montgomery Business Association, Downtown Business Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity at Savannah State and the SCAD Preservation Association have annually provided manpower.

In 2010, a new partner joined the effort as the Savannah Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. adopted Rockwell Park at Victory between MLK and Montgomery, as their ongoing community service project. Chapter President, Carolyn Trimble stated it best when she said, “We truly believe in the saying 'service is the rent we pay for being on this earth.”

The Future is truly bright for the MLK, Jr. Blvd and Montgomery Street Corridor. However, as with any worthwhile effort, sustained revitalization will require the continued support of business and property owners, community leaders and civic partners to ensure the corridor reaches its full potential.

The Savannah Development and Renewal Authority (SDRA) was created in 1992 by the Georgia General Assembly, at the request of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, to renew, revitalize, and beautify distressed areas of Savannah. As an independent public authority, SDRA works with the local government and the private sector to strengthen the economic climate of Greater Downtown Savannah. Specifically, SDRA serves as the City of Savannah's economic development, marketing and outreach, and planning and plan implementation arm for Greater Downtown Savannah; and oversees revitalization and redevelopment of two critical redevelopment Corridorsthe Broughton Street Urban Redevelopment Area and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard (MLK) and Montgomery Corridor. Currently, more than 160 citizens volunteer their time and expertise to serve on SDRA Boards, committees and task forces to address issues facing Greater Downtown Savannah.