A couple of years ago, Kevin Klinkenberg, who currently heads the Savannah Development and Renewal Authority, authored an excellent book about the myriad benefits of a day-to-day lifestyle that relies on walking: Why I Walk: Taking a Step in the…
If you’re interested in issues related to neighborhood revitalization and concerned about some of the downsides of gentrification, you should read the recent Politico piece by Colin Woodard about Cincinnati’s 362-acre Over-the-Rhine neighborhood: How Cincinnati Salvaged the Nation’s Most Dangerous…
If you’re a regular Spoleto U.S.A. attendee, you’re probably already familiar with the excellent venues available in downtown Charleston. The Emmett Robinson Theatre at the College of Charleston isn’t as grand or historic as other festival venues, but it makes…
So we had a big night on Tuesday — a new mayor and two new city council members were elected. And for a handful of families, it was a tragic night. I hadn’t been in bed very long when I…
In my City Talk column on Sunday, I wrote about the restrictions in the city of Savannah’s first draft of a food truck ordinance. Sure, sure, sure, city officials keep saying that it’s just a draft and that everything in…
I’ve been spending a lot of time in my hometown of Frankfort, Kentucky, over the last year and a half. I was up there again for Labor Day weekend, and I took a long walk on Sunday afternoon. I started…
In my City Talk column on Sunday — Is it time to talk traffic calming in downtown Savannah? — I focused entirely on Drayton Street and Whitaker Street. Many drivers on those streets greatly exceed the posted speed limit (35…
In my City Talk column for March 29, I talk again about Meldrim Row. (Click here for a post from June 2014 with more detailed background.) It’s absurd that the homes weren’t saved on the basis of their history, but…
I’ve been writing about Broughton Street changes in my City Talk columns for over 14 years, and I have a slightly different take on the recent moves by developer Ben Carter, who now controls about three dozen retail properties in…
Savannah’s Victorian District is among 10 neighborhoods recently chosen by the American Planning Association’s for recognition in its Great Places series. Other neighborhoods on the list are in Oakland; Denver; Washington, D.C.; Dorchester, Mass.; Jackson, Miss.; St. Louis; Albany, N.Y.; Richmond,…
In today’s City Talk column in the Savannah Morning News, I have a few preliminary thoughts on the city of Savannah’s new 100 Worst Properties list, which is part of the Blight to Bright campaign. I find it so interesting…
In my City Talk column today detailing reasons why Savannah should be encouraging more residential density downtown, I touch again on the massive demographic shifts that we’re seeing in some neighborhoods in Savannah. If you want to get a sense…
Where to begin? A month ago, the city of Savannah was taking nominations of blight for the 100 Worst Properties List. Three weeks later, there is still no sign of that list. I’ll try to find out when it will…
In my sort of obsessively detailed City Talk column today, I continue to look at the city of Savannah’s plan to destroy 36 historic homes facing 33rd and 34th streets between MLK and Montgomery. The site would become the new…
