Council hits pause on big data center plans
Plus a 230-room hotel conversion and $50 million in energy rebates.
The long weekend is almost here, and several everyday details change on Monday. There is also one neighborhood meeting you can still make tonight.
Savannah City Council unanimously approved a 155-day moratorium on new large-load data centers. The pause covers proposed centers using more than 10 megawatts. It also covers plans to convert warehouse or industrial buildings larger than 200,000 square feet into data centers.
During the moratorium, city staff will study how future projects could affect Savannah's water supply and electric grid. Both new construction and qualifying conversions fall within the temporary pause while that review is underway.
The action creates a defined review period rather than a permanent prohibition. The vote was unanimous, and the policy sets two measurable thresholds: more than 10 megawatts for a proposed center and more than 200,000 square feet for a warehouse or industrial conversion.
CAT bus routes change starting Monday
Chatham Area Transit's fixed-route changes begin Monday, September 7. Route 3B Augusta Avenue weekday service will end at 7:24 p.m. at the Intermodal Transit Center. Route 3 West Chatham/SAV HHI Airport will run one bus all day on weekdays, with extra service from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Route 10 East Savannah will also use one weekday bus with extra peak-hour service. Its Saturday service will end at 7:21 p.m. at Penn Waller and Johnny Mercer. Routes 4, 6, 11, 12, 14, 25, 28 and 31 also change. Routes 5, 7D-C, 7F, 17 and 27 remain unchanged. Check your route before Monday's first trip.
CAT sets its Labor Day schedule
Chatham Area Transit will use its Labor Day holiday schedule on Monday, September 7. All fixed-route buses will follow the holiday timetable. CAT Mobility will operate until 10:00 p.m., and paratransit reservations will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The administrative offices and ticket window at the Joe Murray Rivers Jr. Intermodal Transit Center, 610 W. Oglethorpe Avenue, will be closed. Customer service will remain available from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at 912-233-5767.
The holiday schedule and the new route patterns both take effect Monday, so confirm both before traveling.
A 230-room Margaritaville is planned near the Historic District
The recently completed Ann Street Lofts apartment property is slated for conversion into a 230-room Margaritaville hotel near Savannah's Historic District. Work is expected to begin soon, but no opening date has been announced.
Plans include a LandShark Bar & Grill and what is expected to be Savannah's largest hotel pool deck. The property sits next to the Greyhound station and Union Mission. Tidal Real Estate Partners developed the apartments in 2023, before zoning at the site allowed hotel use.
The project is backed by a $113 million bridge loan from Peachtree Group.
Cann Jackson Park neighbors meet tonight
- When
- Thursday, September 3 · 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Where
- First Nazareth Baptist Church
- Address
- 1023 W. 44th Street, Savannah, GA 31401
The Cann Jackson Park Neighborhood Association meets tonight, Thursday, September 3, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at First Nazareth Baptist Church, 1023 W. 44th Street. Contact the event organizer for tickets and details.
Georgia is handing out $50 million in energy rebates
Georgia has disbursed $50 million in federal home-energy rebates from more than $200 million allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act. About 3,500 households have participated. The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority estimates that those households will save an average of $1,407 a year.
Eligible upgrades include dryers, insulation and HVAC equipment. Rebates can be worth thousands of dollars and may cover most or all upfront costs, depending on the household and project.