Savannah Convention Center asking for $15 million from state for riverwalk updates

There are two sides of the Savannah River, and apparently both need some tender love and care.

Leaders from the Savannah-Georgia Convention Center are seeking $15 million from the State of Georgia for riverwalk improvements on the Savannah River's northern banks. Redeveloping the riverwalk along River Street is a priority for Savannah City Council in the coming year.

The convention center's ask came Dec. 13 when various community groups and government leaders met with state legislators to provide their set of legislative asks. Up first for the Savannah Convention Center was money needed to conduct repair, stabilization and completion of the riverwalk on Hutchinson Island.

"There are still issues yet to be accounted for," said Mark Smith, chairman of the Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority board, at the Dec. 13 meeting.

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Retaining wall study, gaps, damage at heart of riverwalk ask

A few issues necessitated the new $15 million ask, which comes as the state records another large budget surplus. A ferry landing dock on the riverbank collapsed in July 2022, and an engineering study done in 2021 found needed repair for a bulkhead on the riverwalk's western slip.

Savannah Chamber President and SGCCA treasurer Bert Brantley said at the December meeting the group had not initially planned on making the request, but the collection of infrastructure needs led to the $15 million ask. The infrastructure improvements for the riverwalk are independent of the convention center's current expansion, which has received a $276-million investment from the state.

"We don't want that $15 million to come across as ungrateful, because we are incredibly grateful for all the work you guys have done to finish that out," Brantley said at the Dec. 13 meeting.

The needs for the riverwalk break down into four components. First, there is about 450 feet of sheet piling on slip three, west of the convention center, that is compromised and needs to be replaced, Smith said in an interview.

Second, an 80-foot gap between that western slip and the riverwalk in front of the convention center remains incomplete. The riverwalk for that gap needs to be designed and constructed, Smith said.

The third item to be addressed involves a comprehensive review of all the riverwalk retaining walls and tie backs to ensure they have long-term stability, Smith said. Lastly, new appropriations would allow the convention center to aid the county in repairing the collapsed ferry dock.

The center can still host events during riverwalk construction if the improvements were able to be made, Smith confirmed. Delays in construction to the convention center's expansion have prompted some worry among board members that the expansion may not be complete in time for visitors booked for Spring 2024.

Rep. Ron Stephens (R-District 164), chairman of Chatham County's state delegation, said he supports the ask made by the convention center's leaders. The General Assembly receives the Governor's budget around the second week of session, and Stephens hopes the $15 million for the riverwalk will be in the budget when it comes out, he said.

"I am ready to get this project done," Stephens said. "We have a lot of people that understand the importance of completing this facility."

Evan Lasseter is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Convention Center asking $15 million from General Assembly