Chatham County moves forward with multi-agency public safety facility

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A new multi-agency public saety facility is still coming to Chatham County.

The facility officially broke ground in May 2024 on Gulfstream Road. The county had to go back to the drawing board on contractors, putting the project out for bid three times after prior applicants violated the county’s procurement process.

“We’ve hired AECON and Russell to be our construction manager and to oversee things to make sure we are in the right path and in the right field,” said Chester Ellis, Chatham County Board Chair.

Foundation work expected soon

Ellis said the county is hopeful to be laying the groundwork next week for the project. The facility is planning to house CEMA, airport police, a 911 center, and more.

Ellis addressed concerns about emergency response times, particularly regarding ambulance services.

“A lot of folks think there’s a delay with the 911 and dispatching them, but that’s not the case,” Chairman Ellis said. “The case is the ambulance being able to serve the whole community.”

Addressing community growth

Ellis said the county is working to improve wait times that are holding ambulances up at hospitals longer.

“We are working now to improve those wait times that are holding the ambulance up at the hospital longer,” he said. “So, we’re working with the hospitals and with the EMS and those to get those out of there.”

Ellis said that with the Savannah community continuing to grow, so does the need for more public safety facilities.

“And the growth is on the West side. The majority of our industries on the West side,” Chairman Ellis said. “And so, we’re finding ourselves making adjustments for that.”

Ellis said he is excited to see the progress of the new facility and is thrilled that so far, they are under budget. He said he is hopeful by next week they will be working on the foundation of the building.