Savannah Town Hall to Discuss Major Southside Mall Redevelopment

Residents of Savannah’s Southside have the opportunity to engage directly with local leaders regarding significant upcoming projects. Alderman Kurtis Purtee is hosting a town hall meeting this evening to discuss developments, including a new community center and the future of the Savannah Mall.

The Savannah Mall, once a bustling hub for local shoppers, faces an uncertain future. City officials indicate that the site could be transformed into a walkable town center over the next five to ten years, featuring shops and green spaces. During the town hall, residents will receive detailed information about this vision.

Community Center and Retrofit Plans

Attendees will also learn about the Windsor Forest Community Center, which will include new renderings, timelines, and program details for youth and seniors. Alderman Purtee emphasized that the center’s mid-century modern design reflects the neighborhood’s character while providing essential recreational and community gathering spaces.

During the meeting, Purtee will outline the Southside retrofit plan, which aims to revitalize the former Savannah Mall property. The proposal envisions a vibrant town center that could include up to 400 affordable housing units. “Community voices are extremely important,” Purtee stated. “The projects we have on the Southside and many throughout the city are citizen-driven. For these initiatives to succeed, we need public involvement.”

The town hall is scheduled to begin at 18:00 at the Windsor Forest High School Auditorium, located on Largo Drive.

Funding and Development Partnerships

The city is actively exploring partnerships and potential $15 million SPLOST funding to advance the mall redevelopment project. Preliminary discussions with developers suggest that this could become one of Savannah’s most significant redevelopment efforts in decades. Purtee envisions a transformed Southside by 2035, with the former Savannah Mall site serving as a welcoming entrance for residents and visitors crossing the Forest River Bridge.

“When they cross the bridge into Savannah, it’s going to be the first thing they see. We want to ensure that we are doing ourselves a service by effectively promoting that space and developing it to its fullest potential,” Purtee remarked.

While some sections of the mall may face demolition, key anchors such as Target and Dillard’s are expected to remain and be integrated into the redevelopment plans. The City of Savannah aims to facilitate connections between developers, businesses, and community groups, leveraging federal grants and additional resources to support the initiative. Stakeholders in this project include local universities, hospitals, neighborhood associations, and current mall owners.

Public input gathered during tonight’s town hall will shape both the community center and the mall redevelopment projects. For those unable to attend, staying informed can be achieved through the city’s website, social media channels, or by directly contacting Alderman Purtee’s office at 912-346-3305 or via email.