BACKGROUND:

The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah approved and entered into a Right-of-Way Acquisition Contract with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for improvements to Delesseps Avenue and LaRoche Avenues between Waters Avenue and Skidaway Road.  These improvements align with the adopted City Council Strategic Priorities: Infrastructure, Neighborhood Revitalization, and Public Safety.  Specifically, these road projects reduce street flooding, increase the amount of sidewalks, improve the quality of Savannah streets, improve mobility and neighborhood connectivity, enhance a commercial corridor, and ultimately help residents feel safer in their neighborhood.  The proposed project would provide sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and curb/gutter and improved drainage.  Existing signals along the corridor would be modified to include pedestrian phases, signal heads and push-button stations.   A total of 120 parcels are affected in which rights-of-way and/or easements from private landowners are required to facilitate this project. 

The Right-of-Way Acquisition Contract governs how the project will be managed and includes reimbursement from GDOT to the City in the amount of up to $2,284,800 for eligible acquisition costs.   Acting in accordance with 49 CFR Part 24 - Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition for Federal and Federally-Assisted Programs, staff has attempted to contact and negotiate in good-faith with owners on record.  If all rights-of-way and easements needed for the project are not acquired by December 2019, the City is at risk of losing reimbursement.

PARCEL INFORMATION:

Owner – Sandra R. Barnes
Property Address – 2311 Bayberry Drive, Savannah, GA 31404
Property Identification Number - 2-0116-03-001
Legal Description of Parent Parcel - Lot 115 Wilemere Sub Roberson Ward
Required Right-of-Way – None
Required Easement - 0.018 Acres

STATUS:

Title work was performed on the property and the owner of record is Sandra R. Barnes.  Staff met with Sandra Barnes (Bazemore) and her husband Buster Bazemore, at the subject property.  After staff explained the proposed acquisition, Ms. Barnes (Bazemore) was given 30 days to review the offer packet.  Staff reached out to Ms. Barnes for an update but no response.  The 10 day letter was mailed certified to Ms. Barnes (Bazemore) residence at 2311 Bayberry Drive.  Ms. Barnes (Bazemore) informed staff that she would provide an update; but has been unresponsive.  Due to timelines associated with the project, eminent domain is required to proceed.

Approval