Residents invited to Tide to Town community engagement activities

The City of Savannah invites residents to help shape the future of the Tide to Town urban trail project by attending one of several upcoming community engagement activities and adding their voice to an online survey. 

The goal of the new public outreach initiative is to ensure the trail’s development results in economic, social, and recreational opportunities for the communities along the urban trail. Among the many activities planned will be several community meetings, a free bus tour, and a small group roundtable with businesses, civic organizations, and others.  

A public survey can be found at savannahga.gov/tidetotown.

“We are excited to further involve the public in planning the future of the Tide to Town urban trail system,” Director of Planning and Urban Design Bridget Lidy said. “We want to make sure all voices are heard by giving residents multiple opportunities to share their views on the ongoing development of this important project.” 

Four community meetings will be held from Sept. 16 to Oct. 8 in various neighborhoods and virtually. Local high school students will be invited to participate in a “Student Visions” program to share their own visions for the urban trail and related equitable growth trail development in the form of slide presentations, posters, essays, and videos.

A free bus tour is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to take participants on a visit to the completed section of the trail along Truman Parkway and stop by a handful of proposed trail routes around the city. 

Anyone interested in the bus tour or attending an in-person meeting can RSVP by emailing planning@savannahga.gov. Snacks and childcare will be provided for the in-person meetings.  

  • Tide To Town | Southside Community Meeting
    • Monday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. 
    • White Bluff Elementary School
  • Tide To Town |Westside Community Meeting
    • Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.  
    • Beach High School, 3001 Hopkins St. 
  • Tide To Town | Eastside Community Meeting
    • Thursday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.  
    • Jenkins High School, 1800 E. Derenne Ave.  
  • Tide To Town | Virtual Community Meeting
    • Tuesday, Oct. 8, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. 
    • Link to be provided

Police Memorial Trail Ribbon Cutting

Join us for a ribbon cutting and inaugural bike ride and walk of Police Memorial Trail! We will meet at the trailhead at Kerry St. and Dixie Ave.

Extending from Kerry St. to near the corner of 52nd St. and Bee Rd., the Police Memorial Trail was originally constructed by Chatham County in the 1990s but had been closed and awaiting repairs since 2016 after being damaged by Hurricane Matthew. The City of Savannah allocated nearly $600,000 for the project.

 

ACTION ALERT: Do you support dedicating more funding for trails? Contact your state legislators today

At their Feb. 25, 2021 meeting the Savannah City Council adopted a resolution to increase the City’s hotel/motel tax from 6 to 8%. As part of this increase, they have allocated $17 million in funding for trails, sidewalks and other connections between westside neighborhoods, the Historic District and the new arena, and $10 million in funding for to expand the Tide To Town urban trail system.

We support this legislation for quite a few reasons:

  • The completion of the roughly 30-mile core loop of Tide To Town would result in almost 60% of Savannah neighborhoods being within a 1/4 mile or 5 minute walk of the loop, and serve over 100,000 Chatham County residents who live within a 3/4 mile biking distance.
  • This is a project for all Savannahians: nearly 75% of neighborhoods within the Core Loop walking distance are majority-minority.
  • 10 neighborhoods that include Savannah Chatham County Public School System’s Title I schools are within the Core Loop walking distance.
  • According to 2016 U.S. Census Bureau data, 13.7% of Savannah residents lack access to a motor vehicle. These residents rely on walking, using public transportation and biking to get to their jobs, doctors appointments, grocery stores, etc., and providing direct access to dedicated facilities like the Tide To Town Urban Trail System will only further help them.

While the funding is for tourism related projects, we know that Savannah and Chatham County residents of all ages and abilities will be able to enjoy every single project on the list. If you also support this proposed hotel/motel tax increase, we encourage you to contact your state representative or senator today. Click here to find out your representative in the Coastal Delegation.

ACTION ALERT: Savannah City Council to vote on proposed increase to hotel/motel tax

At the Feb. 25, 2021 Savannah City Council meeting, council will vote on a resolution to increase the hotel/motel tax, with a portion of the taxes collected for tourism product development supporting $10 million for “the expansion of the Tide To Town Urban Trail Network,” as well as allocating $17 million “ to create trail, sidewalk, and other connections between the Historic District, westside neighborhoods, and the new arena.”

This modest adjustment, from 6% to 8%, would provide significant funding for trail construction and other much needed infrastructure investments in Savannah and would put us on the map as a world-class destination for biking and walking.

Click here to read the resolution and supporting information from the City of Savannah.

Want to share your thoughts with City Council? We’ve included some sample text below. Click here to find your council member’s email.

My name is [Name] and I am a resident of [District #]. I am writing to you in support of the proposed Hotel/Motel Tax increase, that would support the expansion of Tide To Town and create trail, sidewalk, and other connections between the Historic District, westside neighborhoods, and the new arena. The proposed projects, like Tide To Town, will create safe and welcoming places for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities to walk, bike and exercise safely and experience all districts of our great city. Thank you for your support.