PROCLAMATION OF THE

MAYOR AND ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH

RECOGNIZING THE REAL ESTATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

DECEMBER 21, 2022

WHEREAS, the Real Estate Services Department is an umbrella department that includes: 1) Real Estate Administration; 2) Property Acquisition, Disposition, and Management, 3) Facilities Maintenance; 4) Cemeteries; 5) the Civic Center; 6) the new Arena; and 7) the Visitors Center; and

WHEREAS, at the direction of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, and under the administration of four City Managers, the Real Estate Services Department has managed the largest relocation of staff and transition of facilities in the history of the City of Savannah; and

WHEREAS, this historic relocation and transition began five years ago in 2017 when the Mayor and Aldermen directed staff to de-merge the Savannah-Chatham County Metropolitan Police Department and lease temporary facilities to meet the facility needs of a newly re-established Savannah Police Department; said facilities included the creation of two new police precincts, one new police sub-station, a new police records facility, police administrative facilities, and more; and

WHEREAS, this historic relocation and facility transition continued when the Mayor and Aldermen declared surplus and available for sale several older, inefficient City facilities that were in need of major renovation along with some parcels of vacant land for the purpose of generating funds to develop a new, modern, purpose-built municipal complex in which to better accommodate staff, stimulate opportunities for greater departmental collaboration, generate enhanced operating efficiencies, and provide one-stop convenience to customers and citizens; and

WHEREAS, at the direction of the Mayor and Alderman and under the administration of four City Managers, the Real Estate Services Department identified and acquired land and facilities, as well as identified and secured temporary leases at other facilities, to meet these changing facility needs of the organization, and relocated nearly thirty City departments/units comprising more than eight hundred staff; said moves being to and/or from facilities such as the Gamble Building located at 2 E. Bay Street, the former Broughton Building located at 132 E. Broughton Street, various buildings at the former City Lot property located at Stiles Avenue and Gwinnett Street, 5515 Abercorn Street, 2600 Bull Street, 2101 Kollock Street, 1375 Chatham Parkway, 1150 Armstead Road, 5 and 8 Interchange Court, 4801 Meding Street, City Hall, the Savannah Civic Center at 301 Montgomery Street, 1809 U.S. Highway 80, 602 E. Lathrop Avenue, 2250 E. Victory Drive, 1900 E. Victory Drive, the Coastal Georgia Center at 305 Fahm Street, and the new Floyd Adams Jr. Municipal Services Complex located on Interchange Drive.

WHEREAS, additional relocations involving hundreds of staff are expected to occur during the next few years as the City works toward fulfilling the strategy of transitioning into new, purpose-built City-owned facilities and exiting temporary leased facilities.

NOW THEREFORE, the Mayor and Aldermen do hereby proclaim that the Real Estate Services Department be recognized for contributions made during this period of staff relocations and real property transitions as well as for their commitment to provide healthy, safe, and accommodating facilities for staff, citizens, and visitors.

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