In 2001, at the
request of the City of Savannah , the Savannah Development
and Renewal Authority (SDRA) completed the update to the 1986
Broughton Street Urban Renewal Plan. It also crafted strategies
to sustain and expand the successful revitalization for the
Broughton Street Urban Redevelopment Area.
One recommendation
articulated during this process was the need to enhance the
existing landscaping on Broughton Street from Martin Luther
King, Jr. Boulevard to Lincoln Street . The Foster
Holly trees that were planted in the mid-1980s have not reached
their full potential and are inconsistent in their size, fullness
and shape. This is due in large part to an infestation of
scales and the small growing space for the root system. Although
the City's Park and Tree Department has been working to improve
the health of these trees since the early 1990s, the treatments
used have been unsuccessful.
In November 2003,
SDRA in conjunction with the City of Savannah engaged a consultant
to create the Broughton Street Landscaping Analysis and Plan.
The consultant was charged with leading a public planning
process to develop professional recommendations and design
concepts that would create a pleasant, inviting space appropriate
to an historic coastal and urban environment by addressing
the ailing landscaping along Broughton Street . Over
a twelve-month planning and study process, a design concept
and recommendations were crafted to address this issue. The
following framework was used to guide the process:
• Develop a History
of Broughton Street
• Analyze Problems
with Existing Trees
• Examine Current
Conditions
• Launch a Public
Process
• Finalize the
Results and Crafting Recommendations
Through this process,
a design concept was created that recommends three species
of narrow canopy trees for the eight-block project area-Gordonia,
High Rise Live Oak and Bosque Elm. These trees were
selected by the consultant and Park and Tree Department because
they are the appropriate size and create shade, help to reduce
temperatures and filter sunlight. To ensure consistency, it
is recommended that one species of tree be used for each block.
The trees will be planted in tree wells behind the
curb line, similar to the existing Foster Hollies.
A tree sidewalk is also recommended to provide the new trees
with greater root space giving them access to air, water and
nutrients allowing them to reach their full potential.
SDRA will continue
to serve as the lead agency for implementation of the Broughton
Street Landscaping Analysis and Plan along with support from
the City of Savannah and additional community partners.
It is hoped that this document will serve as a tool to guide
the community in stimulating and strengthening economic revitalization
in the Redevelopment Area and for all of downtown.
A copy of the presentation
is posted below to allow for further comment and discussion.
SDRA is currently in the process of finalizing the recommendations.
We will allow time for additional comments once those recommendations
have been completed. In the meantime, should you have
any questions regarding the two design concepts, please contact
us at savannah_dt@sdra.net
or by phone at 651-6973.
*Please
note that the Palm tree is included in the presentation as
a visual only. It is not one of the final concepts under consideration.
In addition, the presentation linked to below is 25 pages
in length.
|
Broughton Street Landscape Presentation - (1MB)