Latest news with #JayMelder
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Savannah selected for national initiative focused on financial empowerment
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The City of Savannah has been selected to participate in a program that supports local governments in developing comprehensive financial empowerment strategies. The CityStart initiative is led by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund). The City will receive intensive technical aid and a $100,000 planning grant to craft a community-informed financial empowerment blueprint. This plan will guide policy and programming to support residents in building assets, improving economic mobility, and creating long-term financial stability. 'Building wealth at the neighborhood level is key to building a stronger Savannah for everyone,' Mayor Van R. Johnson II said 'Through this initiative, we are not only addressing the barriers our residents face now but also creating a roadmap that breaks generational curses and empowers families to leave financial legacies for their children's, children.' 'CityStart gives Savannah the tools, expertise, and partnerships we need to turn financial empowerment into lasting outcomes for our residents,' City Manager Jay Melder said, 'We're excited to build on the work we've already begun and to design a locally driven strategy that reflects the voices and needs of our community.' 'Across the country, leaders are using the levers of local government to deploy financial empowerment strategies that improve their residents' financial stability,' Jonathan Mintz, president and CEO of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund said. 'Our CityStart initiative provides a platform for deep engagement between governments, residents, and other critical partners to create a community-informed plan for transforming residents' financial lives. We look forward to working with the City of Savannah and Mayor Van Johnson to advance financial empowerment and wealth opportunities in Savannah.' Through CityStart, Savannah will align with local priorities and partnership opportunities, helping residents grow, sustain, and protect their assets. Savannah joins the seventh national CityStart cohort, which also includes: Kansas City, Mo. Memphis, Tenn. Milwaukee County, WI Springfield, Mass. St. Petersburg, Fla. To date, 44 localities have participated in the CityStart process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City officials approve $8 million for completion of Enmarket Arena parking
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – City leaders approved an additional $8 million for the completion of Enmarket Arena parking lot project on Thursday. The controversary started when the city asked $14 million to finish the parking lot, split between the general fund and parking fund. That request is now at $11 million, $8 million of that would go to contractors to do the work to complete the lot. That includes cleaning up contaminated soil and an additional 2,000 parking spaces. It is a project City Manager Jay Melder said the city cannot walk away from. 'Leaving the property as it currently sits could result in exposing citizens to the contamination through the effects of wind and rainfall and direct exposure, if site security is not maintained,' Melder said. Council was given three options, two of which were not recommended for financial, environmental or legal reasons. The recommended, approved plan includes removing the contaminated soil, paving the area and turn it into a paid parking to help earn some of the city's money back through fees. 'I've asked for an additional $11 million to be budgeted from capital contingency and our parking fund balance not taking from any other projects for a total of $26.8 million, which we're not projecting to spend,' Melder said. 'And then the final column is the contract modifications needed and there's one the API contract, which are construction contract at $8 million modification.' Council members agree the contaminated soil needs to be dealt with, but not everyone is on board on the parking lot solution. 'It's moments when I had a graduation and I spoke with a couple of families throughout the graduation process, and they had multiple questions of what was going on with the construction over there,' Alderman Detric Leggett said. 'So, when we told them that it was a construction for more parking spaces, everybody was elated.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Public meeting to offer solutions for East President Street train backups
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Savannah's East President Street is facing growing congestion… thanks to train backups at the railroad crossing. On Wednesday afternoon, officials plan to outline how they intend to fix the major transportation issue. The busy intersection one East President Street, next to the Truman Highway flyover – is frequently blocked by trains. This has been a source of frustration for thousands of you will have a chance to see the proposals that would eliminate this issue. Nearly 45,000 vehicles cross the intersection every day, and nearly 500,000 trucks travel through East President Street each year. Officials anticipate the number of trucks traveling will more than double by 2032. To help stop an already congested problem… the removal of a stoplight is very likely along with the flyover. The elimination of the crossing would involve either a bridge or tunnel for vehicles to pass over or under the railroad tracks making it safer for both drivers and pedestrians. This project is especially important for emergency response times as the crossing often blocks first responders from reaching critical areas. Funding opportunities from federal programs to rural grants will help bring this project to life. 'I think it is a really important project. That industrial zone is not going away. That rail access… the industrial zone is important. However, as we have grown, and President Street sees more volume, and that railyard sees more volume… we are going to have to solve that issue. I think the flyover is the right approach,' shared Savannah's City Manager Jay Melder. Savannah shows no sign of slowing down in population growth, so officials are searching for long-term solutions. In their final study over 76% of respondents frequently avoid East President Street due to congestion. Nearly half said they experience delays multiple times per asked about their preference for alternatives to fix the congested road 43% favored Alternative 3 making this suggestion the most supported long-term solution. Alternative 3 improves traffic flow on President Street and would be an estimated cost of nearly 80 million – a significantly lower cost compared to other alternatives. This would mean this plan would enhance mobility while also reducing construction expenses. The President Street Railroad Crossing Elimination Study Public Information Open House is all part of an effort to improve safety and traffic flow in Savannah. The project would be rolled out in two stages. The first half would include reconstructing the Truman Parkway on-ramp and then building the grade-separated bridge. Importantly – traffic would continue throughout the construction… minimizing disruptions. The open house today provides an opportunity for you to learn about the proposed plans…and ask those questions. It starts at 4 p.m. at the Whitney Complex on Laura Avenue. If you want to provide input, click . To learn more about the study, and the alternative route options click . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Savannah crime rates plummet in 2024
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – Savannah city and law enforcement leaders shared encouraging news Tuesday: Crime in 2024 was down in every precinct and in almost every category, an exponential decline since 2022. The information served as a preview to the full 2024 Crime Report which will be released by the Savannah Police Department (SPD) later this week. SPD Chief Lenny Gunther has been at the helm for two years. He and city leaders were humble but proud in their accomplishments backed by data. 'We've had progress when it comes to crime decreases in our community,' said Gunther. 'We're not declaring victory on crime not by a long shot, but we do have to acknowledge the progress we made as a city last year regarding crime.' The 2024 report shows violent crime is down 20% since 2023 and 21% since 2022. Other metrics released Tuesday include crimes such as homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault falling below the five-year average in 2024. City leaders such as Chief Gunther, Mayor Van Johnson, and City Manager Jay Melder attributed the success to a few things, namely, what they call a community-based approach to policing. The method allows citizens to act as watchdogs through new mobile phone applications, social media and outreach programs. Another example of what is working, according to Mayor Johnson, is the success of the Top Ten Most Wanted Lists and the overwhelming response they have cultivated from the public, bridging the gap between the government and the citizenry. 'Folks are talking to us,' said Mayor Johnson. 'We put out a top ten most wanted list and we got eight of those off in the first two weeks.' 'These are grandmas calling us; these are sons and daughters saying I heard you're looking for my daddy. This is where he is,' he added. Then there is the two-year-old Office of Safety Engagement, which leaders called the most successful example of non-police work used by SPD. The outreach group works with children who are most at risk for committing and becoming victims of crimes. 'These investments in community engagement give us the opportunity to listen to those we serve and allow them to provide us feedback,' said Gunther, 'and what's important is what we do with the feedback when we receive it.' There was also plenty of credit given to the SPD officers braving the streets everyday. 'The men and women embrace the culture not only of the savannah police department but of savannah itself,' he said. Even though the data brings promising news to Savannah, leaders said work still needs to be done. 'We're not claiming victory on crime because we had a great crime year or that crime is down,' said Jay Melder. 'One violent crime is too many. You had a bike stolen out of your back yard, that's intrusive, that hurts, and so we know there's a lot of work to do.' The full crime report will be released by the city Thursday, Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. You can read it here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
City of Savannah launches Public Art Master Plan
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The City of Savannah and partners will host the community launch of the Public Art Master Plan on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The event will be held at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center. Designing Local, Ethos Preservation, and W Projects partnered with the city to develop a 'comprehensive vision for integrating public art into the Savannah community,' according to the City via press release. This initiative aims to reach the City's vision of improving access to the arts for residents with the goal of establishing a public art program and ordinance for the City of Savannah. 'Supporting Savannah's arts and cultural vitality has long been a priority for the City,' City Manager Jay Melder said. 'The Public Art Master Plan will build on the work we have done and provides us a roadmap for creating a public art program representative and inclusive of our entire community. We have a thriving community of talented artists in Savannah. The potential for public art that inspires and enhances our community is exponential.' Designing Local is a firm specializing in arts and culture planning, comprised of a team of urban planners, landscape architects, and public art administrators. The Designing Local team started city-wide community engagement events for each Aldermanic District in January and will continue meetings through March. 'The City of Savannah has a wealth of distinctive communities which have unique histories and personalities,' Director of Cultural Resources Stuart Miller said. 'Public art provides a way for residents to tell their stories through artwork that both commemorates and inspires. Through surveys and community meetings, we are asking residents to advise us on how public art can embellish their respective corner of the city.' Residents can provide input through an online survey and find a list of virtual and in-person engagement workshops at Information and feedback gathered will aid with findings and provide an outlet for how the community would like to see the new public art come to fruition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
