09/08/2026
Savannah and Coastal Georgia is the perfect sized town in which to live!!!
Savannah is entering another major period of growth, with new hotels, waterfront investment, transportation improvements and large-scale redevelopment projects moving forward across the city and surrounding region.
One of the most significant transformations is taking place in the Canal District, west of downtown. The city has adopted a master plan for the district, which is being positioned as a new center of activity around the Enmarket Arena. The plan covers neighborhoods including Brickyard, Carver Village, Cloverdale and West Savannah and calls for long-term investment in infrastructure, housing, connectivity and economic development.
The transformation of the former Civic Center site is also underway. In August, Savannah officially began the next phase of redevelopment with the removal of the former Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Arena. The demolition project carries a reported $10.9 million price tag and is part of the city's broader Civic Legacy effort to transform the property and surrounding area.
Savannah's convention and tourism industry is also preparing for another major expansion. The planned 18 story Signia by Hilton Savannah on Hutchinson Island is expected to open in mid-2028 with 444 rooms and more than 34,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 13,000-square-foot ballroom. The hotel is planned to connect directly to the expanded Savannah Convention Center, creating a larger convention destination along the Savannah River. The project comes as Savannah's convention infrastructure continues to expand. The larger convention center is designed to significantly increase the city's ability to host major conferences, conventions and events.
Savannah is also directing millions of dollars toward its waterfront. The city's Tourism Product Development program has identified $30 million for redevelopment of River Street and Savannah's Waterfront, along with $37 million for redevelopment of the Historic Waterworks Building and connections between the Historic District, westside neighborhoods and Enmarket Arena. Another $10 million is designated for the Tide to Town trail network.
Meanwhile, the city is moving forward with a $31 million bond issue for a 400-space parking garage at Eastern Wharf. City officials approved the bond sale in August, with the bonds scheduled to be sold September 15. The Eastern Wharf area itself has become one of Savannah's most prominent examples of new riverfront development, combining residential, hospitality, retail and public spaces along the eastern end of River
Growth is also putting pressure on Savannah's transportation network. Georgia transportation officials are advancing plans to widen approximately 22 miles of I-95, from State Route 144/Ford Avenue to the Savannah River at the South Carolina line. The proposed project is estimated at $101.6 million and is intended to improve safety and traffic flow while accommodating industrial, population and Port of Savannah growth.
The expansion of the regional industrial economy is being driven in part by the enormous manufacturing investment occurring west of Savannah. Hyundai Motor Group's Metaplant America outside the city is designed to eventually support production of up to 500,000 Hyundai, Kia and Genesis electric and hybrid vehicles annually. Hyundai's broader Georgia investment, including HMGMA and battery ventures, has been described as a $12.6 billion investment with thousands of jobs.
The development boom isn't confined to Savannah itself. Nearby Pooler continues to see substantial residential and mixed-use construction as the Savannah metropolitan area expands. Among the newest projects is The Foundry at Mosaic, a 300-unit luxury apartment community under construction in Pooler. The development is part of the 170-acre Mosaic Town Center and is expected to begin move-ins in November 2027.
Another Pooler-area project, Clear Lake Reserve, is planned as a 199-unit rental townhome community. Developers recently secured $38.7 million in construction financing for the project.
