Hunter Maclean ATTORNEYS AT LAW Hutchinson Island Chatham

Hunter. Maclean ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Hutchinson Island Chatham County- Savannah’s Public- Private Partnership

Components of Island Development • Savannah International Trade and Convention Center • Westin Savannah Harbor Resort – Golf Course/ Greenbriar Spa/ Clubhouse – Hotel • Water Lines Under River • Reuse Water Agreement • Roads financed with SPLOST and DOT funds

Savannah’s Need for Trade Center • Fast-growing hospitality industry • Inadequate facilities for “high-end” conventions and trade shows • Need to increase number of days average visitor spent in Savannah • Widely recognized need-- but WHERE?

Possible Locations for Trade Center • Downtown historic district • Other sites on Savannah River • Hutchinson Island • Remote locations – I-95 near Airport – Southside

Hutchinson Island in the 1980’s • • • Industrial Underdeveloped Largely vacant Dredged Slips for Ships Constitutional Industrial Area- No Annexation Multiple ownership

Advantages of Commercial Development • Expansion of Savannah’s growing hospitality industry • Complements historic district infrastructure – Restaurants – Shopping – Entertainment • “Largest undeveloped urban waterfront in America” • Allows development on large architectural footprints

Opponents of Development • Industries • Port businesses • Downtown property owners • Some taxpayers • Naysayers

Major Development Hurdles • No water/sewer on north side of river • Wells cannot be used for golf course irrigation • No road infrastructure or interchange from bridge • No established water taxi or ferry service to River Streets

Milestones in the Development • Chatham County voters approved 2/3 of cost using SPLOST funds • Voters agreed to increase funds to improve aesthetics • CSX donated 25 acres- most valuable land in Chatham County • State agreed to pay approximately 1/3 of cost plus roadway access

Milestones in the Development • Voters approve sales tax funds for trade center- twice

Milestones in the Development • Voters approve sales tax funds for trade center- twice • CSX donates 25 acres for trade center

Milestones in the Development • Voters approve sales tax funds for trade center- twice • CSX donates 25 acres for trade center • City and County agree to provide water and sewer

Milestones in the Development • Voters approve sales tax funds for trade center- twice • CSX donates 25 acres for trade center • City and County agree to provide water and sewer • Voters and CSX approve annexation

Milestones in the Development • Voters approve sales tax funds for trade center- twice • CSX donates 25 acres for trade center • City and County agree to provide water and sewer • Voters and CSX approve annexation • DOT agrees to fund roads

Milestones in the Development • Voters approve sales tax funds for trade center- twice • CSX donates 25 acres for trade center • City and County agree to provide water and sewer • Voters and CSX approve annexation • DOT agrees to fund roads • CSX obtains financing

Water / Sewer Development • Property owners agreed to substantial tap-in fees which would repay the cost of installation • County installed lines under Savannah River to service development • City provided capacity

Reuse Water Agreement • Need for Golf Course irrigation without use of water from aquifer • Location of City Sewage Treatment Plant within 2 miles of the project • Development of Reuse Water technology • City’s agreement to upgrade to tertiary treatment, and developer’s agreement to pay the cost

Road System and Riverwalk • Developer donated all land • County, using SPLOST funds, paid the cost of roads on the island, including the loop road to be used for Indycar races • County paid for riverwalk • State DOT paid the cost of interchange off of the bridge, plus the boulevard to the trade center (as it had done in Atlanta)

Racetrack Issues • County’s wish to build a racetrack • Developer’s wish to limit use to indycar type racing events • Road construction issues of setbacks and easements • Developer’s agreement to license the race operator’s use of land adjacent to the track

Joint Use Issues • • • Parking for Hotel on Trade Center land Westin’s right to reserve rooms in trade center Westin’s use of docks attached to riverwalk City’s control of the riverwalk Cross easements

Other Thorny Issues • Annexation into the City of Savannah • Water taxi service to the island • Burying major transmission lines

Why Obstacles were Overcome • Consistent commitment of public officials of the city and the county • Commitment of CSX • Support of State Government • Continuity of leadership and working groups for several years • Votes by people of Chatham County