The State of Georgia is planning to expand and modify the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center on Hutchinson Island. The State Department of Economic Development has requested the opportunity to acquire small portions of the City's rights of way on Industrial Drive and Wayne Shackleford Boulevard to facilitate this expansion. These rights of ways adjoin the existing Convention Center property. OCGA 36-37-6 (e )(2)(c) provides an exception to the public bidding/auction process when selling or transferring municipal real property to another government authority or agency for public purposes. 

The State is seeking four small irregular-shaped portions as follows (and as depicted on attached):

• Parcel 1: 2,344 square feet;
• Parcel 2: 7,039 square feet;
• Parcel 3: 5,406 square feet;
• Parcel 4: 3,593 square feet.

The State will also be conveying a parcel to the City containing 2,721 square feet. No cash will be exchanged. However, property values were estimated based on the 2018 assessed value of adjoining parcels as established by the Chatham County Board of Assessors. The City has underground utilities present in the area, and will thus be reserving a blanket utility easement to operate, maintain, and potentially upgrade said utilities in the future. The matter has been reviewed by the Public Works Department, Real Estate Services Department, and City Attorney's Office.

Approval