1992

• Governor Miller signs legislation creating Savannah Development and Renewal Authority (SDRA) at the request of the City of Savannah.

• SDRA opens first office on Broughton Street with initial focus on revitalization of the Broughton Street Urban Redevelopment Area (BURA). Within a ten-year period, SDRA formally expands efforts to include Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (MLK), Montgomery Street and Greater Downtown Savannah.

• SDRA opens new office at 518 MLK.

• Established first Broughton Street Façade Improvement Loan Program with $100,000 in General Fund monies from the City of Savannah. Between 1993 and 2002, three additional programs are capitalized for the BURA and MLK-Montgomery Street utilizing General Fund and Community Development Block Grant Funds. As of April 2005, 38 loans have been approved using more than $808,824 in public funds. This public investment has leveraged more than $14.5 million in private funds.

• Following first seven successful façade loans totaling $97,574, developed second Façade Improvement Program with $150,000 of Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG) from the City.

• Created Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program for Broughton Street to encourage installation of fire suppression systems. By Fall 1999, two projects totaling $240,000 were funded through this program.

• Opened Downtown Business Resource Center & Library at 104 W. Broughton Street providing local, state, and federal information on technical and financial resources available for business start-up, expansion and relocation. The Center moved to MLK with the SDRA office in 2002. As of January 2005, the Center had serviced 535 prospects and 660 property owner/business inquiries.  

• Implemented six-month pilot Graffiti removal and abatement program as a community-volunteer effort. Program results in SDRA's Graffiti Reimbursement Program and removal of graffiti from 72 sites. Program led to establishment of City program to remove graffiti.

• Expanded both MLK CDBG and General Fund Façade Improvement Program to include Montgomery Street, River Street to Gwinnett Street. In 2003 the program was expanded to include full boundaries of Corridor to 52 nd Street.

• Enhanced Sprinkler Cost Assistance Program by expanding boundaries to include Broughton Street Urban Redevelopment Area and MLK-Montgomery Corridor, River to 52 nd Street. Since this change, three projects have been funded at $106,734 and one additional project has been approved for $40,000.
• In conjunction with the Bureau of Public Development, SDRA published the Guide to Doing Business in Greater Downtown Savannah to assist business start-up, expansion, relocation and property improvement.
• Hosted Urban Georgia Network Training Session with Georgia Department of Community Affairs and The Enterprise Foundation regarding the New Market Tax Credits.
• Spearheaded Economic Alliance along with the Savannah Economic Development Authority and Small Business Assistance Corporation to "promote policies and practices that stimulate smart and sustainable economic growth in the Savannah area." More than 20 partners are involved with Alliance which meets quarterly.

• In conjunction with Downtown Neighborhood Association Savannah Convention and Visitor Bureau, and the City, SDRA hosted first downtown community update regarding G-8 Planning meeting.
• Purchased and installed Claritas Demographic System to provide comprehensive demographic data to business and/or property owners.
• Pursued partnership with City to develop, secure funding and implement Revolving Property Fund to acquire or option properties and market them to prospective developers. Program approved and funding pledged in the amount of $500,000.

• Approved by City to receive $50,000 in CDBG funds to support the pilot Corner Store Program which provides low interest financing to improve neighborhood corner stores in the MLK-Montgomery Street Urban Redevelopment Area.
• Partnered with Senior Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) to launch monthly one-on-one business counseling sessions at SDRA office.
• Coordinated Civic Master Planning process for properties located east of the Marriott along President Street to ensure compatibility with the downtown area and to ensure public access to river and site.  Riverside project projected to bring $700 million in build out, jobs, sales, and property tax.

• Developed comprehensive Parking Improvement Recommendations for Downtown Savannah. By 2001, 75% of those strategies had been implemented including construction of Bryan Street Garage, and the creation of the position of Parking Services Coordinator for the City.

• Mayor and Council approved MLK-Montgomery Revitalization Plan, River Street to Gwinnett Street.   Since January 2005, 78% of the strategies listed in the Ten Year Work Plan have been initiated or completed.

• Updated 1994 Parking Recommendations noting that 75% of the strategies had been addressed or implemented by City. Nine new goals and strategies are added.

• Completed update to 1986 Broughton Street Urban .   Since January 2005, 86% of the strategies in the Ten Year Work Plan have been initiated or completed.

• In coordination with SDRA, City implemented Phase 1 of Streetscape Improvements to MLK with refurbishment of medians south of Gwinnett and construction of median between Liberty Street and Oglethorpe Ave.

• Formalized a Downtown Master Planning Task Force.

• Mayor and Council approved MLK and Montgomery Street Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan, Jones Street to 52nd Street establishment of an Urban Redevelopment Area. Twenty public meetings were held. As of January 2005, 88% of the Urban Redevelopment Plan strategies have been initiated or completed and 72% of Supplement strategies have been initiated or completed.
• SDRA and City of Savannah completed the Phase 2 Comprehensive Streetscape Improvement Plan for MLK, River Street to 52 nd Street. City includes "MLK Renaissance" in 2003 (and 2005) legislative request to General Assembly.

• $3.4 million is approved through the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) to support streetscape improvements to MLK-Montgomery Street.      
• Implementation of "model streetscape block" along MLK between Oglethorpe Avenue and Liberty Street completed.
• Secured $113,000 in funds to support redevelopment activities for Broughton Urban Redevelopment Area and MLK-Montgomery Corridor.  
• Purchased 40 waste receptacles to replace older receptacles on Broughton Street. Gained funding support from DBA and KSB to support installation and the addition of 5 more receptacles. Installation complete in 2003.
• Launched formal study for Broughton Street to determine appropriate landscaping treatment to replace ailing Foster Holly Trees.
• Commenced land-use study and zoning framework as part of implementation of MLK-Montgomery Urban Redevelopment Area Plan.
• In conjunction with the City, Historic Savannah Foundation and the Humanities Council, SDRA brought noted real estate expert Don Rypkema to assess development and potential in two target areas.

• Secured funding and finalized the development of a Downtown Master Plan to establish a common vision, address elements that impact downtown and offer a framework to guide day-to-day and long-term planning and development projects.   Kise Straw and Kolodner Architects, Planners, Historians (KSK) of Philadelphia were engaged to guide the community through this process along with Urban Partners, Community and Economic Development and Charles McMillian Associates.   Additionally, SDRA has engaged Sottile and Sottile-Urban Design to work hand in hand with KSK and SDRA at the local level.
• As a part of Land-use strategies, SDRA hosted 3 technical resource/design assistance charettes for MLK-Montgomery business and property owners.

• Secured funds and coordinated volunteers to install holiday decorations on Broughton Street. This becomes an annual event and is expanded to include MLK-Montgomery in 1999.

• Launched first comprehensive image development campaign for Greater Downtown Savannah, partnering with various entities to produce logo, slogan, image and holiday advertising in print and electronic media, etc.
• Received Honor Award for Public Recognition from the Georgia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for revitalization efforts on Broughton Street.

• SDRA and Savannah are recognized at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Downtown Association with the Urban Image Campaign Excellence Award , the Public/Private Commercial Rehabilitation Excellence Award , the Design Improvement Program Excellence Award and the Urban City Problem Solving Excellence Award .

• Implemented image and marketing campaign to promote investment and shopping along the MLK- Montgomery Corridor, program expands to Greater Downtown using theme of " History, Legacy and Opportunity."
• Launched website for organization highlighting business and property development resources, programs and links. As of January 2005, the site had seen more than 33,763 visits.
• SDRA and City of Savannah are recognized at the 2003 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Downtown Association with the Economic Redevelopment Award of Excellence, the Organizational Award of Excellence and the Image and Marketing Award of Excellence.
• Purchased and installed with City assistance 47 holiday banners for MLK and Broughton Street as a part of the overall holiday campaign.
• Implemented window display program to fill storefront windows in available properties.

• Appointed to serve as coordinator for the Golden Broom Award which recognizes businesses in Greater Downtown who are meeting Mayor and Council's blight eradication initiatives by keeping their storefront and surrounding area clean and litter free.
• Produced video with City's Public Information Office to market Façade Improvement Program.
• Developed map for kiosks highlighting location of museums and cultural institutions as well as parking structures.
• Partnered with Downtown Business Association to support holiday advertising campaign to encourage locals to shop, dine, tour, experience Greater Downtown Savannah.
• Secured Most Innovative and Effective Planning Process Award from Georgia Planning Association for Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard/Montgomery Street Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan and Land-use Planning process.
• Received Citation of Excellence from the Savannah Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for SDRA's leadership in the revitalization of Broughton Street and the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard/Montgomery Street Corridor.

Richard Shinhoster, Chair
SDRA Board of Directors

W. Ashley Bowersox

Dr. Carlton Brown
Michael B. Brown
Michael D. Brown
Richard Collins

Alderman Ellis Cook

Carol Day

Reed Dulany

Linda Evans
Walter Evans

Brian Foster
David Garfunkel

Robert Glenn, Jr.

Kenny Hill

Marcie Hill
William W. Hubbard

Ruel Joyner, Jr.

MarRonde Lumpkin Lotson

Anissa Manzo
J. Larry Miles, Jr.
W. John Mitchell
Wendee Mitchell
Tony O’Reilly

Virginia M. Parham

William C. Rhangos, Jr.

Ira Ruby

Michael Skinner
Laurie-Jean Stellberg
Cora Bett Thomas

Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas
Thomas L. Thomson
Rev. Thurmond N. Tillman
Jamal Toure

Rick Winger