Savannah Civic Center renamed to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Savannah Civic Center has been renamed the Martin Luther King Jr. Savannah Civic Center to preserve the civil rights leader’s legacy, as the city’s old arena faces demolition in 2026.

City officials said they wanted to ensure Dr. King’s name, which was on the old arena, would not be lost when the building comes down.

The Mayor, city council, and city manager worked with the IMA and the Observance State Committee of Martin Luther King Jr. to continue the legacy through the renaming.

“This is as much as it is a naming statement, it’s also a moral statement of this council and this city going forward,” said Mayor Van Johnson.

The renaming ceremony included music, speeches, and prayers from various faiths. Officials said the decision reflects the city’s commitment to honoring its past while moving forward.

“We are moving forward, but we’re also looking back. And we’re also respecting our past by moving into our next 50 years in this arena,” Mayor Van Johnson said.