February 3, 2025
From the President:
Monthly Meeting
The Board would like to thank each of you who attended the monthly meeting last week. We had a tremendous turnout, as well as an excellent presentation concerning the future of the Talmadge Bridge. For those of you who were unable to attend the meeting we will be posting a video of the presentation on our website (savannahdna.org) within the next week.
For those interested in staying abreast of plans and wanting to receive project alerts, you can sign up at https://www.abridgetoofarsav.org/. Once you view the website you can also click on the link to submit a comment to Georgia Department of Transportation suggesting that they review possible alternative bridge locations.
Savannah GPS Strategic Plan
Just a reminder about the strategic plan for the future of the city is currently being developed. There will be a public meeting tomorrow, February 4th at 6 pm for our Aldermanic District. The meeting will be at the Delaware Community Center, 1815 Lincoln St. We encourage you to complete the survey and add your comments if you have not done so already.
Tourism
DNA has been working hard over these past few years to help foster a better balance between tourism and our residential quality of life. Part of this effort includes addressing concerns with walking tours that frequent residential areas of the National Historic Landmark District. A pilot project was created by a task force coordinated by the Tourism Advisory Council (TAC) which began on February 1. This 90-day pilot project limits walking tours south of Liberty Street after 10 pm.
Last Friday, January 31, the Atlanta Journal Constitution published an article about the pilot project. Each of the companies interviewed for the story stated they plan on opposing the restrictions. You can read the story here. Walking tour companies have been opposing any change to the Tour Service for Hire Ordinance since we began this effort in 2023. They do not want to make or accept any changes. Since this effort began, we reached out to several walking tour companies offering to meet and discuss our concerns and were rebuffed by most. Only one walking tour company agreed to meet with me.
The Tourism Leadership Council (TLC) did not object to the pilot project as a member of the TAC but recently sent out an email suggesting walking tour companies ignore the pilot project and continue with business as usual. You can read this email here.
The DNA joined the TLC in 2023 but was unexpectedly denied renewal in 2024 without explanation. Prior to this, I met with the TLC almost monthly to discuss various matters of mutual interest. However, these meetings ceased in the spring following our renewal denial—again, without any explanation. Meaningful change is difficult to achieve when one party refuses to engage in dialogue or compromise.
Please let me repeat what I have stated several times: the DNA is not interested in putting any tour company out of business. We believe we are being reasonable in requesting to limit all tours after 9 pm in the residential area. We are not asking to end them at 6 pm as similar destinations such as Charleston, SC has done. With adequate planning, tour companies can adjust routes and locations to minimize any impact on residential areas.
I will close this by saying that Mayor Van Johnson is listening and willing to hear our concerns. He is very supportive of finding the right balance between tourism and residents. He called me over the weekend to reiterate his commitment to finding this balance. It’s unfortunate that the walking tour companies are not willing to do the same.
David McDonald
President
Downtown Neighborhood Association Savannah, GA Inc.