New vision for Savannah's Canal District takes shape | Exclusive
Commuters entering Savannah from Interstate 16 can see an array of city landmarks welcoming them into the Hostess City of the South: The Talmadge Bridge, the DeSoto Hotel, and to the west, Enmarket Arena. The arena’s placement at the corner of Stiles Avenue and Gwinnett Street, between Savannah’s downtown and a hub of historically Black neighborhoods, is intended to spur economic opportunity in the area. It opened in 2022 and is home to the Savannah Ghost Pirates, the Savannah Steel and a steady run of concerts. Now, the city is approaching the next set of critical questions about the district the arena anchors. What types of growth and development should go around it? A market analysis and land-use report commissioned by the City of Savannah provides insights into that future. “I think this is an incredible opportunity to make real the hopes and dreams, and decades of community work in our west side neighborhoods,” said Savannah City Manager Jay Melder. Context: Savannah takes coordinated approach on major projects | Exclusive The report, informed by a year of community engagement, identified a mix of housing and retail that could complement the area, particularly on a group of five city-owned blocks where
