Savannah squares receive awards
By Myrriah Gosset
On Oct. 7, the city of Savannah was honored with the American Planning Associations (APA) award for Great Public Spaces. As a part of the National Community Planning month, the awards were given today.
The awards are given to places that show both historical significance along with “community involvement and a vision for tomorrow,” Tom Thompson of the Metropolitan Planning Commission said.
The restoration of Ellis square and efforts made to keep the squares well-kept were highlighted by city aldermen Van Johnson and Mary Osborn. They spoke of their respective districts and the efforts made to preserve the historic squares of Savannah.
The APA awarded Savannah in 2007 for Bull Street from River Street to Forsyth Park as a Great Place. The award this year includes all of the squares in the downtown area.
Osborn stated “citizens have a role in all of this too,” in continuing to keep the squares beauty by controlling the amount of litter in the public spaces.
“Savannah is noted all over the country for its squares and historic preservation,” Osborn continued.
After stories of the old City Market, with its vegetable stands taken over by the above ground parking garage, along with a short history of the city planning of General Oglethorpe, the award was received by Mayor Otis Johnson. Both Osborn Johnson spoke about the prospects the new Ellis Square will have once it is completed.
The award ceremony was also the site of the announcement for the creation and placement of a life size statue of Johnny Mercer, which will be unveiled mid-November.
For more information about the APA you can visit their Web site.
