Savannah Civic Center Site to Become Mixed-Use Housing
The city plans to transform the 4-acre arena site into 300 new homes, including workforce units and condos.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Commercial
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The City of Savannah has unveiled a land-use analysis proposing the transformation of the 4-acre Civic Center site into a mixed-use neighborhood. The plan calls for adding up to 300 new homes and significant retail space once the current arena is demolished.
Why it matters
This redevelopment aims to restore Savannah's original street grid while addressing local demand for attainable housing. By prioritizing workforce units and banning short-term rentals, the city hopes to create a permanent residential anchor in the downtown area.
The proposed site covers 4 acres, with 27% of the 230 to 300 planned units designated as income-restricted for households earning between $64,000 and $96,000. Infrastructure for this project is backed by $25 million from a 2025 sales tax referendum.
The players
City of Savannah
The local municipal government responsible for urban planning, infrastructure, and the administration of the city's housing initiatives.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center
A city-owned multipurpose facility slated for demolition to make way for new housing and retail development.
The details
The city intends to break up the site by restoring the historic street grid, which will create smaller, pedestrian-friendly blocks for development. The plan integrates 32,000 to 45,000 square feet of retail with a mix of 130 to 160 market-rate apartments, 60 to 80 workforce units, 30 to 45 condos, and 10 to 15 rowhomes. Officials will manage this transition through a competitive Request for Proposals process to select a private development partner.
Timeline
2025: Voters approved a special sales tax referendum to fund the infrastructure.
February 2026: The city held the second series of community open houses.
2027: The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center arena is expected to be demolished.
The Home Front
The redevelopment project marks a significant effort to reintegrate the site into the city's original street grid as defined by the Oglethorpe Plan. This shift reflects a broader urban planning trend of converting aging, city-owned commercial footprints into dense, mixed-income residential zones.
Residents should track upcoming city announcements regarding the Request for Proposals process to see how the site's design evolves. Potential homebuyers interested in the future condos or rowhomes should consult with a local real estate professional to understand the timeline for new construction starts.
The takeaway
The city is prioritizing permanent residents over short-term vacation rentals for this downtown land. Interested parties should keep an eye on municipal updates regarding the 2027 arena demolition to monitor when construction bidding and residential development timelines are officially finalized.
Further reading
Learn more about local planning initiatives in the Savannah Commercial section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Savannah Morning News.
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Should city-owned land be prioritized for affordable housing developments over market-rate projects?
