This week’s On Our Radar piece features a stacked lineup ranging from federal green investments to tourism awards and Taylor Square.
The installment details what Chatham Area Transit will receive as part of a $7.8 million federal grant, provides an update on the lawsuit challenging the naming of Taylor Square, and also explains an update to the appeal process in Savannah’s civil service ordinance.
Also, see where Savannah stacks up as a tourism destination compared to other U.S. cities.
If you have neighborhood updates, organization events or news tips you think could be of service to Savannahians, send them to elasseter@savannahnow.com. Also reach out if there are stories here you would like to know more about. Deadline for the On Our Radar series will be the end of day each Friday.
Last week: On Our Radar: Have transportation concerns? Here’s how to join the regional planning process
“I’m riding with Joe”
CAT is set to double its electric bus fleet thanks to a $7.8 million federal investment.
CAT received a Federal Transit Administration Low or No Emission Grant to add six battery-electric buses, four depot chargers and workforce training. The group celebrated receiving the grant at an event Thursday attended by Chatham County Chairman Chester Ellis, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson and CAT Interim Director Stephanie Cutter.
“Rolling stock to support public transportation is very expensive,” Cutter said. “In order to serve the community, in order to meet them and take them where they want to go, we can only do it through partnerships.”
More: Chatham Area Transit holds pop-up event; attendees get first look at microtransit vehicles
CAT’s Board of Directors approved submission of the grant in March 2024. The grant money was funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, one of the hallmark policies of President Joe Biden’s administration.
Both Ellis and Johnson took Thursday’s event to tout the Biden administration’s investment in the region. Savannah has received more federal investment in the past four years than any other administration, said Johnson, who is a delegate for the Democratic National Convention and endorsed Biden Thursday.
“I’m riding with Joe,” Johnson said. “They say he may be forgetting some things, but he isn’t forgetting about Savannah.”
Savannah in top three of Travel & Leisure’s 2024 “World’s Best Awards”
Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards are a near 30-year-old annual ranking based on reader surveys where cities are rated based on sites, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value, according to a Visit Savannah Press Release.
Savannah ranked third this year ahead of cities such as Chicago, New Orleans and Nashville.
“On behalf of the Savannah/Chatham County community, we are extremely proud to be ranked among the top on Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best destinations list,” said Joe Marinelli, President and CEO of Visit Savannah. “It’s a reminder that visitors to Savannah continually find world-class accommodations, unique culinary experiences, approachable retail opportunities, and museum and tour options that meet every taste and interest. For the 18th consecutive year, Savannah stands proud again of being named a top place for visitors worldwide.”
Savannah has “consistently placed in the top five,” according to the press release. Because of that consistent recognition Savannah earned induction into Travel & Leisure’s Hall of Fame, which is awarded to destinations voted onto awards lists for 10 consecutive years, the release said.
Savannah placed behind Charleston, ranked in the top spot, and second-place Santa Fe, New Mexico.
More: Trolley noise was a pain point for downtown Savannah residents. New ordinance aims to fix that.
Taylor Square lawsuit dismissed in Chatham Superior Court
Chatham County Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley denied a motion for summary judgment that claimed the city’s renaming of the square violated the state constitution. Mayor Van Johnson referenced the decision in his recent press conference.
“Taylor Square is still Taylor Square,” Johnson said. “We told you.”
The lawsuit was filed by David Tootle, a local Republican who most recently lost a runoff bid for the Chatham County Board of Commissioners. Walmsley’s decision stated Tootle’s claims did not show personalized injury from the square’s renaming, which was required in order to have standing.
The court decision also ruled the city’s action did not violate the Georgia statute which regulates how municipalities provide services related to monuments.
Savannah unveiled the Taylor Square markers at an event in February which drew a crowd of about 300. The lawsuit was filed by Tootle in July 2023 to prevent the city of removing John C. Calhoun’s name from the square.
The case’s dismissal was first reported by the Savannah Agenda.
Savannah updates civil service board procedures
Savannah City Council voted Thursday to adjust the procedures for the appeal process in its civil service ordinance. The move changes the point at which an appeal goes before the council-appointed civil service board.
Before Thursday’s vote, the civil service board would have the final say in an official’s appealed demotion, suspension or dismissal. The update now leaves the final authority to the city manager, who can approve or deny the decision of the civil service board.
More: Defense attorney alleges former detective influenced witness in murder trial of Savannah man
The move comes after former Savannah Police Department detective Ashley Wood was reinstated and demoted to a code compliance position by the board in December 2023. Wood was initially fired by SPD for falsifying information in multiple search warrants before being reinstated by the board during Wood’s appeal.
Some council members had previously expressed concerns about the civil service board process after Wood was reinstated. Wood has since been indicted by a Chatham County grand jury.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah News Update: Biden administration grant boosts Chatham’s electric buses