NEWS - Residential Real Estate

SBJ Staff Report

Oct 13, 2011 – The first resident to move into Savannah Gardens moved in last Friday.  Savannah Gardens is the largest affordable housing project the City of Savannah has ever participated in, addressing residential real estate needs of Savannah's less affluent.  

Savannah Gardens is located along Pennsylvania Avenue, south of Savannah High School. Savannah Garden’s first official resident is Johnnie Mae Pollard, a lifelong Savannahian who has lived in Strathmore Estates for more than a decade. She was interviewed by members of the local media on Friday in an event arranged by the City, along with local officials. 

Also on hand was master developer CHSA Development Inc., and end developer Mercy Housing. Phase One of Savannah Gardens will be completed in a few weeks with a large dedication ceremony planned for Nov. 2.

While Phase One is still an active work site, residents are being moved into units that have received their certificates of occupancy.

The project got underway in late 2007 when the City of Savannah partnered with CHSA Development Inc. to purchase the aged, 45-acre Strathmore Estates which flanks both sides of Pennsylvania, and redevelop in into an unprecedented affordable housing community on Savannah’s eastside. When complete, the development will feature more than 550 units of apartments and single-family homes complete with retail and landscaped parks.

Savannah Gardens features the latest in environmentally sustainable design and building techniques, and uses energy efficient appliances that will save residents money. While only the first phase of this multi-phase project is near completion, it is already transforming the far eastern edge of Savannah, according to Bret Bell, spokesperson for the City.  Residents now living in the old Strathmore Estates on the east side of Pennsylvania will receive the first units at Savannah Gardens.  Johnnie Mae Pollard is one of these residents.