440 likes | 559 Views
HunterMaclean A T T O R N E Y S A T L A W. Hutchinson Island . Chatham County- Savannah’s Public- Private Partnership. Components of Island Development. Savannah International Trade and Convention Center Westin Savannah Harbor Resort Golf Course/ Greenbriar Spa/ Clubhouse Hotel
E N D
HunterMaclean • A T T O R N E Y S A T L A W
Hutchinson Island Chatham County- Savannah’s Public- Private Partnership
Components of Island Development • Savannah International Trade and Convention Center • Westin Savannah Harbor Resort • Golf Course/ Greenbriar Spa/ Clubhouse • Hotel • Water Lines Under River • Reuse Water Agreement • Roads financed with SPLOST and DOT funds
Savannah’s Need for Trade Center • Fast-growing hospitality industry • Inadequate facilities for “high-end” conventions and trade shows • Need to increase number of days average visitor spent in Savannah • Widely recognized need-- but WHERE?
Possible Locations for Trade Center • Downtown historic district • Other sites on Savannah River • Hutchinson Island • Remote locations • I-95 near Airport • Southside
Hutchinson Island in the 1980’s • Industrial • Underdeveloped • Largely vacant • Dredged Slips for Ships • Constitutional Industrial Area- No Annexation • Multiple ownership
Advantages of Commercial Development • Expansion of Savannah’s growing hospitality industry • Complements historic district infrastructure • Restaurants • Shopping • Entertainment • “Largest undeveloped urban waterfront in America” • Allows development on large architectural footprints
Opponents of Development • Industries • Port businesses • Downtown property owners • Some taxpayers • Naysayers
Major Development Hurdles • No water/sewer on north side of river • Wells cannot be used for golf course irrigation • No road infrastructure or interchange from bridge • No established water taxi or ferry service to River Streets
Milestones in the Development • Chatham County voters approved 2/3 of cost using SPLOST funds • Voters agreed to increase funds to improve aesthetics • CSX donated 25 acres- most valuable land in Chatham County • State agreed to pay approximately 1/3 of cost plus roadway access
Milestones in the Development • Voters approve sales tax funds for trade center- twice
Milestones in the Development • Voters approve sales tax funds for trade center- twice • CSX donates 25 acres for trade center
Milestones in the Development • Voters approve sales tax funds for trade center- twice • CSX donates 25 acres for trade center • City and County agree to provide water and sewer
Milestones in the Development • Voters approve sales tax funds for trade center- twice • CSX donates 25 acres for trade center • City and County agree to provide water and sewer • Voters and CSX approve annexation
Milestones in the Development • Voters approve sales tax funds for trade center- twice • CSX donates 25 acres for trade center • City and County agree to provide water and sewer • Voters and CSX approve annexation • DOT agrees to fund roads
Milestones in the Development • Voters approve sales tax funds for trade center- twice • CSX donates 25 acres for trade center • City and County agree to provide water and sewer • Voters and CSX approve annexation • DOT agrees to fund roads • CSX obtains financing
Water / Sewer Development • Property owners agreed to substantial tap-in fees which would repay the cost of installation • County installed lines under Savannah River to service development • City provided capacity
Reuse Water Agreement • Need for Golf Course irrigation without use of water from aquifer • Location of City Sewage Treatment Plant within 2 miles of the project • Development of Reuse Water technology • City’s agreement to upgrade to tertiary treatment, and developer’s agreement to pay the cost
Road System and Riverwalk • Developer donated all land • County, using SPLOST funds, paid the cost of roads on the island, including the loop road to be used for Indycar races • County paid for riverwalk • State DOT paid the cost of interchange off of the bridge, plus the boulevard to the trade center (as it had done in Atlanta)
Racetrack Issues • County’s wish to build a racetrack • Developer’s wish to limit use to indycar type racing events • Road construction issues of setbacks and easements • Developer’s agreement to license the race operator’s use of land adjacent to the track
Joint Use Issues • Parking for Hotel on Trade Center land • Westin’s right to reserve rooms in trade center • Westin’s use of docks attached to riverwalk • City’s control of the riverwalk • Cross easements
Other Thorny Issues • Annexation into the City of Savannah • Water taxi service to the island • Burying major transmission lines
Why Obstacles were Overcome • Consistent commitment of public officials of the city and the county • Commitment of CSX • Support of State Government • Continuity of leadership and working groups for several years • Votes by people of Chatham County