The seven acre Civic Center site in downtown Savannah is the largest single parcel in the Savannah National Historic Landmark District (SNHLD). This large site, crossing both Elbert and Jackson Wards,  stands in contrast to the small land division pattern of the Oglethorpe Plan for which Savannah is nationally significant. The Civic Center has served Savannah for decades as a community, event, and conference space, and the community is now contemplating how this site can best continue to serve its citizens. Working with the National Park Service (NPS), the City of Savannah recently committed to updating the SNHLD documentation to more accurately capture the full story of Savannah’s history and reflect current NPS standards for such documentation. The large-scale size of the Civic Center site means that it will have an impact on the integrity of the SNHLD going forward. The City desired a comprehensive understanding of not only the Civic Center site, but also Elbert and Jackson Wards as a whole. This information will be used to make sound decisions that minimize the loss of historic fabric, maintain the Civic Center site as a community amenity, and ensure that future development is appropriate to the character of the SNHLD.

The NPS cultural landscape report methodology was chosen for its utility as a treatment document and a tool for long-term management of this seven-acre cultural landscape. This cultural landscape analysis addresses the historic development and modifications over time of both Elbert and Jackson Wards. Additionally, the analysis documents the existing conditions and landscape features, and the degree to which those features that define the area’s historic significance are still present. The next steps in the process are to seek public input and make recommendations for appropriate treatment of the study area consistent with its significance, condition, and planned future use, which will occur as part of the site’s redevelopment process.

​

To find out more and read the report online visit this page.