Proposed high-rise near Savannah City Hall draws mixed reactions

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A proposed high-rise across from Savannah’s City Hall at Johnson Square sparked debate Wednesday.

The project, spearheaded by Parker’s Kitchen founder Greg Parker, would replace the building at 15 Bull Street that was built in the late 1950s.

Parker was unavailable for an interview Wednesday.

Janice Waldron, a Savannah resident who works across the square, said she wanted to see the space be retail-focused.

“Everything else is kept at a minimum level, and I just don’t know. I just think it would mess up the whole downtown vibe,” Waldron said. “For people that actually come here or live here, to be able to take full advantage of it.”

She said she often sees workers taking breaks, like her, near Johnson Square. Tourists will often explore the square too, as many people were seen taking pictures of the signage and monuments scattered throughout the area.

Janine Blanco lives in Savannah, but she’s from Chicago. She’s seen skyline buildings her whole life, but believes having just one here is too many.

“If you put in a high-rise, it’s not going to coordinate with the rest of the buildings here,” Waldron said. “A lot of people who visit Savannah because of that old feeling, the old town.”

She also said that when it’s cold and icy in Chicago, sections of the sidewalks and roads would be closed off because of the danger of ice falling from the high-rise buildings.

Although that doesn’t happen often in Savannah, Georgia -- it’s a possibility still that she believes should be considered.

Andrew Lindquist, a Richmond Hill resident, shared similar concerns about the aesthetic being rearranged.

“Don’t put up a big glass-mirror building that kind of takes away the rest of the beauty around here,” Lindquist said.

Building’s history

According to the Savannah Historic District Board of Review’s agenda presentation, 15 Bull St. was built in 1958 on the site of the former Pulaski House Hotel.

It was a non-contributing resource within the National Historic Landmark District and Savannah Downtown Historic District.

It currently serves as a Regions Bank.

Records also showed renovations were done in 1978, 1987, and potentially in the early 2000s.

The review board unanimously approved the demolition plans.

“If it doesn’t have any heavy-weighing historical significance, maybe it’s not that big of a deal,” Lindquist said.

Mayor addressed zoning issue

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson shared his thoughts about the idea Tuesday.

“Construction is one of the signs of a thriving community,” Johnson said. “We have not been involved as of yet, as it’s a zoning issue.”