East River Street, LLC (ERS) owns land at 600 East River Street with frontage along the Savannah River at the intersection of E. River Street and E. Bay Street. The State of Georgia claims ownership and jurisdiction of lands and river bottoms waterward of the mean high water mark along riverbanks. At this location, however, ERS was able to provide evidence that it owned lands waterward of the mean high water mark. The State of Georgia has conceded that claim and is in the process of deeding these lands to ERS to resolve the title matter.

The City of Savannah has an easement for construction, maintenance, and operation of a bulkhead and riverwalk in this area and the easement extends over lands of the State. Thus, the City is a party to this title matter and has agreed to Quit Claim and release its easement interest over lands that will be deeded from the State to ERS. However, the City will retain easement rights over remaining State lands. The City’s bulkhead and riverwalk will be solely on the State lands and not ERS lands. 

ERS plans to build a new hotel on its site and within the reclaimed lands being deeded to it by the State. Since the City already has a bulkhead and riverwalk nearby, the City and ERS have entered into a development agreement that protects and indemnifies the City’s bulkhead and riverwalk from any adverse impacts/damages that may result from construction activity of ERS.

Approval