5-story development near historic Savannah cemeteries spurs debate

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The Savannah City Council approved a controversial development plan for District 2 at Thursday’s meeting.

Zoning changes would allow for a five-story hotel in the Savannah station area, which is surrounded by a school and two historic Jewish cemeteries.

“If we didn’t vote on it, the owner of the property could sell it to anybody,” said District 2 Alderman Detric Leggett. “It may be SCAD, it may be a nonprofit, and if somebody builds something there as a nonprofit, we can’t tax them. So, at least this way, we have some money we can tax and put back into the community.”

One of the parties involved, Congregation Mickve Israel, says the historic cemeteries will be preserved.

“In the cemeteries, you have some of the original leaders of the Jewish community, many who were founders of the Jewish community here,” Rabbi Robert Hass said. “It’s one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in the entire country.”

However, not everyone is on board with the hotel project. The Historic Savannah Foundation argues that housing — not luxury lodging — should be the priority for the area, especially once the I-16 flyover is removed.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen to that neighborhood in the next few years once the flyover comes down,” said the foundation’s CEO, Sue Adler. “There’s so much opportunity there. By making this decision now, we could potentially make a better one about the property in the future.”

Leggett noted that this won’t be a quick process, as there’s still much to agree on. The details are still being ironed out and it will take time before any final decisions are made.