News Summary
Savannah is engaging the community to address downtown parking challenges highlighted in the 2025 Parking Matters study. An open house was recently held to present findings and gather feedback from residents and local businesses. Key recommendations include adding parking meters, extending enforcement hours, and enhancing online information. Mayor Van Johnson emphasized the need for improved public transport to tackle congestion. Community concerns were noted, with ongoing issues in finding parking both day and night, and an online survey is open for further input until September 26.
Savannah is actively seeking community input regarding downtown parking solutions as part of its ongoing efforts to address parking challenges identified in the 2025 Parking Matters study. An open house was held on September 17, where the Parking and Mobility Services Department presented the study’s findings and invited feedback from residents and local business owners.
The study encompassed a range of areas including from Liberty Street to Victory Drive and from 45th Street to MLK Blvd and East Broad Street. Its primary objective was to balance parking issues with other modes of transportation, such as walking, biking, and public transit. The recommendations from the study focused on enhancing parking availability and efficiency in response to growing community concerns over accessibility.
Key recommendations from the study include:
- Introducing additional parking meters in busy areas.
- Considering the extension of parking enforcement hours into the evenings and on Saturdays.
- Improving the availability and clarity of parking information on the city’s website.
Moreover, the study revisited the residential decal program for on-street parking, acknowledging the complex dynamics between various users, including visitors, residents, and workers. Mayor Van Johnson highlighted the importance of viewing parking challenges as part of the overall traffic ecosystem, suggesting the current expectation to find parking directly in front of every destination might be unrealistic.
To further alleviate the issues, Mayor Johnson advocated for improvements in public transportation as a way to ease traffic congestion and reduce environmental impacts. The study indicated that the stretch of road between 37th and 45th streets witnesses the highest levels of congestion in downtown Savannah.
Community feedback gathered during the open house revealed significant frustration among residents over the ongoing difficulty of finding parking, both during day and night. Local business owners also expressed concerns; for example, bar owner Tom Wolfe articulated that the introduction of paid parking could potentially harm small businesses in the area. He suggested that initiatives enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety could lead to a decrease in parking demand.
Currently, Savannah has approximately 2,700 metered spaces and about 4,000 spaces in parking garages available to the public. As part of its outreach efforts, the city has launched an online survey to further gather community input regarding parking solutions. This survey will remain open until September 26.
The 2025 Parking Matters study was conducted by the City of Savannah in collaboration with Stantec Consulting Services and was designed using similar methodologies as the previous 2015 Parking Matters Study. The city aims to address parking challenges effectively while ensuring that the needs of the community are met through comprehensive public engagement.
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Additional Resources
- WTOC: Savannah Shares Downtown Parking Study
- Wikipedia: Parking
- WJCL: City Hosts Open House on Parking Crunch
- Google Search: Savannah Parking Study
- WTOC: Downtown Savannah Parking Management Discussion
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Planning
- Savannah Now: Forsyth Park Fountain Update
- Google News: Savannah Parking Challenges
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
