🌱 Mayor Responds To Development Concerns + New Ghost Pirates Facility

Welcome back, Savannah! I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and pleasant. High: 82 Low: 59.

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Here are the top three stories today in Savannah:

1. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the recent city council decision to approve housing development at the fairgrounds property site. Following the vote, residents gathered at the fairgrounds to express their frustrations about the vote being rushed, and Mayor Johnson responded to their concerns. On Tuesday, he said he understood residents' concerns over low-income housing, but the incoming development will be senior housing. He continued, saying that it is difficult for the city to develop affordable housing when they are competing with private developers for property. (WSAV)
2. The Savannah Ghost Pirates announced that they will be opening a new practice facility in nearby Port Wentworth. The 90,000-square-foot facility is expected to cost $25 million and is slated to open during the summer of 2025. The arena will include a sports bar, two NHL-sized ice rinks, and a pro shop. (WTOC 11)
3. The Savannah Chatham County Council on Disability Issues will be hosting a virtual meeting on Apr. 24 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. The guest speaker at the meeting will be Wayne Dawson, Executive Director of the Savannah Chatham County Fair Housing Council, Inc. All residents are invited to attend, and those with disabilities are especially encouraged to attend as the city and county work to make the area a better place for disabled residents. To learn more or sign up for the meeting, email SavChatDisability@gmail.com. (Savannah Tribune)

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Today in Savannah:

• Baby Sensory Storytime, At Oglethorpe Mall Library (10:30 AM)
• Loyalists & Liberty, At Georgia State Railroad Museum (10:30 AM)
• Dancing With The Savannah Stars, At 2603 Whitaker St. (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Despite a statewide trend of increasing housing starts and permits, the number of residential construction permits issued in Savannah decreased by 3.16 percent between 2021-2022. Visit the link for more insights on year-over-year changes in residential construction in Georgia and across the country. (Point2)
• Record Store Day is coming this Saturday, Apr. 22! This year's picks include artists such as Duran Duran, Taylor Swift, and The Allman Brothers. Click here to learn more about how Savannah is celebrating. (WSAV)
• In case you missed it, the City of Savannah is accepting applications to name the square located at Abercorn Street and East Wayne Street. To be considered, proposed names for the square should either honor an important Savannah or Chatham County individual, commemorate local history, recognize local wildlife or geography, or strengthen the neighborhood's identity. To learn more or download an application, click here. Applications are open until May 15. (SavannahGA.gov)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.