Savannah City Manager Jay Melder never thought he would see another tent posted on the former Coastal Empire Fairgrounds site again, he said Friday.
But two large white tents covered some 100 attendees in celebration of the groundbreaking for Legacy Savannah, the new name for the multi-use development project at 4801 Meding St. Project developer P3JVG and the city of Savannah hosted the event with fanfare from a booming DJ and leaders from Savannah’s past and present in attendance.
Legacy Savannah will bring 400 income-based housing units, production studios and youth sports facilities to the 66.5-acre site. Phase one, which ceremonially broke ground Friday, will feature 30 new single-family homes and 20 townhomes.
“The Legacy will be a place where all of Savannah can live, grow and thrive,” said P3JVG’s CEO and Managing Partner Robert Gould.
More: With property fully rezoned, fairgrounds development slated for Oct. 25 groundbreaking
The city’s involvement with the former fairgrounds property spans multiple city administrations, with the city first purchasing the property in 2016 during former Mayor Eddie Deloach’s administration. The city released a request for proposals for a public-private partnership to redevelop the site in 2020 during Mayor Van Johnson’s first term.