Cruise Mistakes Aid Savannah

As an international group of preservationists who oppose Charleston's expanding cruise ship business plan to visit the Holy City in mid November, Savannah is studying how to learn from Charleston's mistakes.

In a visit earlier this week, Charleston Mayor Joe Riley told a group of Savannah business leaders that cruises in port cities just make sense, but that proper planning is needed before they sail into town.

“For a port city to have a cruise ship port is a natural,” Riley told the Savannah Downtown Business Association. “There are some activities you can import that aren’t natural, but people have been coming to Charleston on ships since it was founded.”

The Savannah Morning News told the city to listen to Riley's advice as it embarks on its own plans to attract cruise ships to the historic port city.

"Most Savannahians are keenly aware of the need to balance livability with tourism," the newspaper wrote. "The Historic District and its many charms is like the golden goose. Killing it makes no sense. At the same time, tourism provides needed jobs and revenue that helps pay for public services."

Savannah could decide within a year whether to construct its own cruise terminal. It has set aside $130,000 to study where to locate the facility.

Meanwhile, the Charleston conference could bring together cruise opponents from a number of historic cities and international preservationists to confer on ways to combat the supposed cruise-ship threat.

“In historic port cities, we’re all up against the international cruise tourism industry,” said Preservation Society Executive Director Evan Thompson. “If we can find a way to work together ... we’ll have a much greater chance of success.”

Charleston has embarked on plans to build a new $35 million cruise terminal just north of its present site. The current facility is aging and does not have adequate nearby parking. Both Charleston residents and cruise passengers complain about the cumbersome parking procedure.

A group of preservationists and downtown residents are suing to stop the construction.