The Port Wentworth Police Department (PWPD) received a call of a potential bomb threat at the Publix Shopping Center Port Wentworth officers conducted a sweep of the premise and "no threat was detected and the area was cleared," according to a press release from the department The press release did not convey what time the threat and subsequent sweep may have occurred this morning The PWPD did not immediately respond to a request made Monday afternoon for clarification on the timing of the threat and law enforcement response The press release noted that Rice Creek Elementary School was placed on lockdown as a precaution though the school was not directly involved in the incident and the Georgia Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance assisted in responding to the incident Members of the public with information regarding the incident can reach out to the Port Wentworth Police Department directly or through the City of Port Wentworth Police Department's Tip411 App Joseph Schwartzburt is the education and workforce development reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at JSchwartzburt@gannett.com and JoeInTheKnow_SMN on Instagram Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPORT WENTWORTH (WTOC) - Port Wentworth is rapidly growing city leaders broke ground on a soon-to-be shopping plaza They say the new development is one of many people will see in the next year-and- half The new shopping plaza in Port Wentworth’s commercial district will add to the urban amenities that already exist within the city Officials say it will be the first high-end retail shopping center in the area The tenants of the shopping plaza will be announced once the paperwork is complete This new retail space adds to the list of upcoming developments that city is currently working on with another major project being Anchor Park which has a projected opening of late 2026 will include the Ghost Pirates new facility the Executive Director of Port Wentworth Development Authority I love to say people say ‘I’m going to Anchor Park to see a concert or do this we’re going to do that in Savannah,’ you know we also want people to know we’re here too while going to Savannah One issue residents are having with the rapid development is traffic in the area which includes collaborative work with GDOT There are future plans to add a shuttle service to Anchor Park that will also help alleviate traffic Port Wentworth has roughly 15,000 residents That’s nearly three-times the amount the city had in 2010 The residential growth has been accompanied by substantial economic development Included in those developments are eight new hotels City officials also say 3,200 housing permits are in the works some of which will be built along the Highway 21 corridor and Highway 30 These new developments are said to add to the city’s residential feel while giving people access to major metropolitan amenities these developments will offer residents a place to connect with their immediate neighbors and others throughout the region with just the number of festivals and concerts and the Ghost Pirates games I don’t think we’re going to have a lack of things to do There’s so much to do in the Savannah-metro already let’s do something different,” says Touchton Touchton also says a lot of their newer residents are younger he expects more recent graduates will fill flock to Port Wentworth to for its proximity to Savannah and upcoming developments West Chatham municipalities are on the move towards progress as the area continues to experience more growth. Just as Pooler takes its first steps to improve its downtown area through a grant program Port Wentworth gets the OK from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to take responsibility for the part of Coastal Highway 25 that runs through the downtown Although the agreement will not be finalized for six months to a year the announcement is a major step forward for downtown revitalization in line with the downtown development plan passed by Port Wentworth City Council in October 2024 has been long overlooked with blighted homes shuttered businesses and warehouses upon warehouses―products of the rapid growth of the Georgia Ports Authority Rerouting truck traffic was identified as a key strategy to breathe new life into the area during the information-gathering phase of the Downtown Vision and Strategy plan trucks heading north-to-south would divert from SR 25 to SR 30 to access SR 21 Trucks traveling south-to-north could use Grange Road to access SR 21 and rejoin SR 25 through SR 30 the implementation of roundabouts at key intersections such as Grange Road and SR 25 The introduction of a roundabout at the intersection of Barnsley Road and South Coastal Highway would improve traffic flow and promote traffic calming measures to foster a pedestrian-oriented atmosphere downtown City Manager Steve Davis said the city would still have to go through the certification process and some traffic studies before the final transfer will occur “It’s a great opportunity for the downtown center there,” Davis said “There hasn’t been an influx of investment downtown in decades This investment will make it easier for there to be a restaurant and for people to be able to walk to that restaurant.” More: Port Wentworth addresses quality of life issues, adding trail connecting recreational areas More: Port Wentworth approves new Hwy. 21 streetscape and downtown development plans At a recent city council meeting, the city of Port Wentworth also approved a proposal from architectural firm Cooper Carry to develop design guidelines to help shape the city’s look and feel The project will cost $72,000 and will include three phases—due diligence and stakeholder alignment The output will include a vision booklet with precedent studies community preference and stakeholder insights and a final design guidelines book articulating architectural and landscape standards additional zoning districts to introduce additional standards in some areas “That was a big part that the residents and the stakeholders [talked about] in the downtown redevelopment plan,” Davis said “The vision was to make sure that there was still some character left there Not just all new buildings that look modern but to keep that coastal and community vibe downtown.” Davis said he tended to use Old Town Bluffton as an example of the look and feel the city is seeking for downtown—maintaining character and inviting new investment “We talk about choosing Port Wentworth to live “That’s really a goal that we have and working towards and you can’t do some of that if you don’t clean it up and make it more livable and walkable.” Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for the Savannah Morning News During a recent Port Wentworth Planning Commission meeting commissioners unanimously approved site plans for two hotels a 240-unit residential community and a medical facility another step in the plans to accommodate the city's rapid and sustained population growth The story of Port Wentworth―and the region in general for over a decade―has been hyper-growth Port Wentworth’s population doubled between 2010 and 2020 and now sits at more than 16,000 residents In anticipation of the additional growth to come with the Hyundai Metaplant's opening city leadership hosted its first economic outlook luncheon on Dec Callaway Professor of Economics at Georgia Southern University who provided an analysis of economic trends and potential challenges that will come with the growth and the future of the city More: Municipal Notebook: Port Wentworth needs more water from Savannah; Pooler adopts STR software More: Port Wentworth approves new Hwy. 21 streetscape and downtown development plans “Port Wentworth has some really interesting opportunities before it in its immediate and longer term future,” Toma said logistics development will come alongside that All of this will create a revenue stream that can be reinvested in the community conscience process of planning that’s unfolding as we speak That will help guide the future of the city for the next 10 to 15 years.” Improving transportation time and enhancing quality of life were also two challenges Toma mentioned, that the city has plans to address with the Highway 21 streetscape plan which includes strategies for alleviating truck congestion The development of Anchor Park and the options for recreation will help enhance residents' quality of life “It’s an exciting time in Port Wentworth,” said City Manager Steve Davis “We’ve come a long way in this new council's term We’re working on a stormwater management plan we’re working on a comprehensive plan and we’re doing a transportation and trail plan We’re putting in all the pieces to make sure everyone can live covering municipal governments and other topics stakeholder interviews and open houses for community feedback the city of Port Wentworth unanimously approved a plan for the future of downtown and Highway 21 This plan includes a potential strategy for alleviating truck congestion along the South Coastal Highway through downtown Port Wentworth downtown Port Wentworth has long been overlooked the area was bustling with a grocery store shuttered businesses and warehouses upon warehouses the result of rapid growth of the Georgia Ports Authority and the annexation of North Port Wentworth in the late 1980s alongside a Habitat for Humanity development seeks to breathe life back into the center of the city as it prepares for more growth Residents complained of the volume of truck traffic passing through downtown via State Route 25, diminishing the area's walkability and creating a less than hospitable environment for pedestrians. The downtown vision plan, assembled by planning and design consultant Kimley-Horn suggests working with the Georgia Department of Transportation to reassign the state route designation from the section of SR 25 that passes through the area trucks heading north to south would divert from SR 25 to SR 30 Trucks traveling south to north could use Grange Road to access SR 21 and rejoin SR 25 through SR 30 More: Port Wentworth is trying to develop its downtown area. Why are some residents wary of it? More: Port Wentworth announces $50 million investment in quality-of-life improvements Introducing a roundabout at the intersection of Barnsley Road and South Coastal Highway would improve traffic flow and promote traffic calming measures potentially fostering a pedestrian-atmosphere downtown City Manager Steve Davis said they were working with GDOT on this initiative as well as acquiring the right-of-way from GDOT around the Houlihan Bridge so the city could expand the boat landing Kimley-Horn's recommendations based on the goals for the downtown area fell into three focus areas: beautification and civic pride Each of the focus areas comes with a slew immediate “We’re making a lot of different improvements for the downtown already but we’ve got a long way to go,” said Davis “This a tool that we can use not only to get partnerships from private entities but from the state and federal governments and different opportunities that are out there to get funding.” Some of the action items include water and sewer infrastructure improvements and a streetscape plan with guidelines to establish a street hierarchy and aesthetic Although downtown does not have a streetscape plan yet the council also unanimously passed the plan for the beautification of Hwy 21 from O’Leary Road north to Lakeside Boulevard and onward to the Effingham County line 21 has experienced a significant increase in traffic volume since 2020 increasing from 20,000 vehicles per day to 30,000 The goal of the plan is to clean up the area and provide an identity for the corridor that represents the city of Port Wentworth as it continues to experience more traffic Proposed improvements include the addition of pedestrian and bike facilities rehabilitation of the roadway for better stormwater management the addition of vegetation and connectivity to other areas and branding elements that are unique to Port Wentworth The first step in implementation is a dedicated budget amount of $850,000 to $1 million for a Phase 1 kickoff with a highly visible improvement to the corridor such as installing Port Wentworth lettering to both sides of the pedestrian bridge Economic Development Director James Touchton said they are already discussing what elements from the streetscape plan they could implement now “Both of these plans are tools that we’re going to use to make sure we’re following a guideline and not just doing things as we go,” Davis said and there’s a lot of things that have to fall in place but we’re working very hard on multiple fronts to make things better.” Both plans can be found through portwenthworthga.gov. Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for Chatham County municipalities for the Savannah Morning News (WTOC) - A new plan to put a trail through the City of Port Wentworth It will be 15 miles long and lead to Anchor Park where the Savannah Ghost pirates ice cove is set to be built The city said this trail would make everything in the park WTOC talked to the city about how they plan to manage the growth It’s a 12-page plan to make the city of Port Wentworth more walkable the director of Port Wentworth economic development said this recently approved ‘Anchor Trail Conceptual Plan’ will create a 15-mile trail through the city “It’ll connect one side of the city if you’re looking at the Effingham line our major neighborhoods by the residential side. it’s going to be on a ten-foot multi-use path,” said Touchton Anchor park will soon be home to the Savannah Ghost Pirates Ice Cove the Port Wentworth 5000 plus seat amphitheater and Port Collective This project- just one part of the city’s growth “If you’re familiar with the Atlanta beltline if you’re familiar obviously with Tide to Trail in Savannah We want to be a part of this regional network here in Savannah but really show people what a trail system could really do for the community,” said Touchton He said the city had a population of about 10,000 people in 2020 they’re close to eclipsing the 17,000 mark “We’ve got a comprehensive plan that we’re hoping to adopt this summer that’s really going to set our future in motion We’re going to be doing some overlaying districts which is going to define our anchor park entertainment district,” said Touchton residents could start to see parts of the Anchor Trail throughout the city or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading or sign up for a new account to continue reading We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content no promotional deals were found matching that code 2025 - The City of Port Wentworth has received the green light from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to take responsibility for the part of Coastal Highway 25 that runs through the downtown area This announcement is a major step forward for downtown revitalization allowing the City of Port Wentworth to reimagine the corridor from a truck-dominated thoroughfare to a vibrant pedestrian-focused main street and business friendly commercial corridor GDOT is agreeable with the City of Port Wentworth’s request to assume local jurisdiction over the portion of State Route 25 which stretches from Grange Road to Bonnybridge Road and other jurisdictions to finalize the redesignation The granting of the city’s request for the jurisdictional transfer of this part of SR25 significantly enhances the city’s ability to implement key elements of long-term transportation and downtown redevelopment plans “Thank you for sharing the City of Port Wentworth’s downtown vision plan for a pedestrian friendly commercial corridor,” said Chief Engineer at GDOT “GDOT appreciates the City of Port Wentworth’s partnership and we look forward to working with you to help advance the City’s vision.” The redesignation of SR 25 through downtown is a major critical cornerstone of the City's long-term revitalization strategy supported by the 2024 Downtown Vision & Strategy plan approved with support from residents and the Council The plan prioritizes local control as a key catalyst for beautification By transitioning Highway 25 from a state route to a locally governed roadway Port Wentworth will begin to fully realize its potential as a connected community destination “This milestone is a result of preparation state leadership and other committed individuals in particular the Honorable Chair of GDOT’s Transportation Board who I thank for their ongoing support and engagement,” said City Manager “It is through strong partnerships like these that communities like Port Wentworth can thrive.”   These latest achievements continue the forward-thinking momentum for the City of Port Wentworth GDOT’s decision will enable the City to offer downtown living to a diverse where both residents and businesses have chosen We're always interested in hearing about news in our community there are no recent results for popular commented articles Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Another addition to Port Wentworth’s goal of improving the quality of life for residents was unveiled Monday afternoon at the Della M Port Wentworth residents have been itching for recreational opportunities for youth in the city “It’s an exciting time for the community,” said City Manager Steve Davis “This is a $135,000 improvement with the new court It’s an added feature and bonus to an already well-situated pocket park.” Davis added that they were excited to add a few more things to the park in the future such as lighting One mother who lived in the subdivision said that she was glad that there was finally somewhere that kids could play instead of having to play street basketball The money for the court came out of the city's general funding and building it involved a collaboration between Southern Marsh Nursery Green Space: Port Wentworth addresses quality of life issues, adding trail connecting recreational areas Davis also spoke about the Anchor Park Trail Plan that passed city council in March a plan that would connect all of the neighborhoods back to Anchor Park my priority will always be these children,” said Mayor Pro Tem Gabrielle Nelson “I am so glad that all of our children now have a new build connections and create new community.” Also in attendance were the sons of Della Steele who was a councilmember for the third district They thanked the city for the addition to the park and said that their mother would love that there was something dedicated to making Port Wentworth a better place Port Wentworth residents have complained about issues concerning quality of life — lack of recreational issues While a few of these issues have been addressed the city is taking more steps to fill these needs for its residents and Economic Development Director James Touchton think that residents will be pleased with what’s soon to come “There are several things in the works that residents have been clamoring for that I think they’ll be very happy with when we announce,” Touchton said in a recent interview which was presented at a recent city council meeting represents an effort to consolidate transportation and path networks with a vision for a green corridor that would extend throughout the city and connect communities but it’s also very practical,” said Laura Ballock a representative with Kimley-Horne the firm responsible for bringing the Beltline to Atlanta “…The current transportation networking that we are using is largely dominated by vehicles right now but there’s also pathways and sidewalks that the city has already had in development and we’re linking up with those and working through the neighborhoods to make connections.” Ballock also said that they were informed by the trail multi-use planning and corridor planning that has been used by the City of Savannah as well as Chatham County the Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization as well as other nonprofits The presentation went through a conceptual trail system and a selection framework for what could be focused on first Some of the goals for the development would be to use the existing street network and sidewalk improvements to establish a core route and prioritize grade separated facilities throughout “We are not talking about bike lanes within the vehicular right of way nor are we talking about encouraging biking within the street,” Ballocksaid and there would be actual off road sections where you would be able to get away from the road itself which creates a really nice added feature.” allowing for movement both ways for pedestrians or bicyclists The presentation also included proposed routes for several areas within the city The proposed Lakeside trail would cover 3.5 miles, Anchor Park 3.5 miles, Meinhard Road would cover 2.2 miles while the downtown trail would include about 6 miles. Where the routes would start and end can be found on the presentation Alongside the trail plan, a month ago Port Wentworth broke ground on a new, 13,000 sq ft shopping plaza, which will be at the heart of the city’s developing commercial district, which includes the Port Collective. “I think that everybody’s been so hungry for new developments and restaurants to be coming,” Davis said “When the Ghost Pirates Training Facility broke ground we’ve been talking about this wave of commercial developments that it was going to bring the city approved site plans for two new hotels Touchton said they have more exciting things in the works things that he said residents have been asking for “I think we’re committed to bringing these opportunities but showing it through our incentives,” Davis said and I think that the things that are coming will show that those actions have meaning Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for the Savannah Morning News, covering the municipalities, and community and cultural programs. You can reach her at DAmbus@gannett.com 2024 - The Port Wentworth Police Department hosted its annual Shop with a Cop event bringing smiles to children’s faces as officers joined local kids for a day of holiday shopping and festive fun fostering community connections and spreading cheer 2025 - The City of Port Wentworth has invested in little libraries to provide another free service for residents and build communities in the fast growing city Little libraries are outdoor durable library boxes that enable sharing of books The city has installed these high quality weather resistant libraries with windows to help residents view and select their books People are encouraged to donate books suitable for all ages return books after reading and support this initiative Little libraries are proven to build community inspire readers and expand book access for all “Research has proven that children read more when they have access to a little free library,” said City Manager “As a father and grandfather I know that when children discover a book that brings them joy And that act of reading opens up a whole wide world of opportunities.” The little libraries have been installed in the following communities and city employees have already donated a significant number of books to kick start the initiative: “I have a passion for supporting our communities and our youngest residents in particular” “Literacy is the foundation of all knowledge and improving book access and reading is another way Port Wentworth is committed to enhancing quality of life for our residents.”  For more information about Port Wentworth please visit www.portwentworthga.gov and follow on social media Patrick’s Day weekend festivities approaching the Port Wentworth Police Department has begun conducting a series of road checks throughout the city according to a press release issued by a Port Wentworth Police Department spokesperson The series of road checks will last from today “These checks are designed to promote responsible behavior and enhance overall public safety during the St Patrick's Day celebrations,” the press release stated The Port Wentworth Police Department is urging “all attendees to plan ahead and make responsible choices.” “If you choose to consume alcoholic beverages during the festivities or take advantage of public transportation options,” the press release added “The goal is to create an atmosphere of celebration while minimizing the risk of accidents or incidents related to impaired driving.” Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for the Savannah Morning News the Hester’s fought to keep warehouse development out of the Monteith and Meinhard neighborhoods where their family had lived and farmed there since 1871 When over two years ago that development moved into the eastern side of their neighborhood anyway Steve Hester said during a recent city council meeting they didn’t want to leave and not give something back to the community If you ask a Port Wentworth resident what they would like in their city a few answers always float to the surface: more grocery stores The recent approval of a development agreement and the rezoning of the Hesters’ 12.2 acres from residential to commercial may soon deliver on the hopes and wishes of longtime residents “It’s pretty bittersweet,” said Hannah Hester a real estate agent fifth-generation Hester who had a hand in getting the project off the ground and through council “Most days it’s a lot of fun because it’s the work that I’ve always wanted to do When you think development in Port Wentworth More: Port Wentworth's rural neighborhoods face an uncertain future with warehouse development More: Port Wentworth's rural Black communities under constant threat from development, city neglect Located directly adjacent to the the Anchor Park development the future home of the Ghost Pirates Training Facility Meinhard Station already has confirmed tenants and a sitewide solar energy microgrid powering it all The plan also has room for 88,000 square feet of general and medical offices and 700+ parking spaces “We’re looking at this hard and considering it hard because it’s right next to our park and that’s going to the crown jewel of the city,” said City Attorney Scott Robichaux “We wanted to make sure that all of the potential uses made sense so we worked with the developer and the landowner to come forth with a development agreement to protect those uses - like no self-storage facilities Robichaux also mentioned that the current zoning ordinance requires that the new developments have two years to begin substantial construction said they’re aiming to break ground in the first quarter of next year Benton's a lifelong resident of Port Wentworth a friend of the Hester family and real estate developer since 2013 When he found out about the warehouse developments and that the Hesters wanted to sell their property that’s when he stepped in and offered advice “We don’t want to be another Garden City,” Benton said and avenues for our residents to retain revenues and dollars within the city For decades all of our tax dollars and revenues have gone to other municipalities.” Benton said they’re envisioning something eventually similar to Ponce City Market in Atlanta a miracle to get this where it is,” Hester said “There’s just an astronomical amount of things going on right now in terms of building and infrastructure in Port Wentworth You bring developers here and they’re like there’s just trees there but soon there’s going to be apartments there Now that we’ve got the rezoning done it’s back in our hands.”  The rezoning and development agreement passed 5-1 through the council with Councilmember District 3 Rufus Bright voting against the agreement due to Benton's history of suing the city Benton has sued the city six times with one current outstanding lawsuit regarding his mother's land Mayor Gary Norton said that the project would be a "shot in the arm" for the city we've got a Class A hotel wanting to come here and they're looking at bringing other small businesses here," Norton said A joint venture between PCCP, LLC and Advenir Azora has announced the ground-up development of Leo at Port Wentworth cottage- and townhome-style built-for-rent (BFR) community located at 1100 Meinhard Road in Port Wentworth The Class A community will feature a variety of product types with an average size of 1,081 square feet (sf) Interior finishes will include LVT flooring undermount sinks in the kitchen and bathrooms Leo at Port Wentworth’s amenity center will include an approximately 3,000-sf clubhouse/leasing center with a large conference room and coffee bar for residents a 1,460-sf gym with an exterior area that will be turfed for outdoor exercises and a large Olympic style pool surrounded by gazebos and chairs There will also be multiple shared spaces and green areas The Savannah MSA has been the fastest growing MSA in Georgia since 2010 increasing its population by 76,000 people (21.8% growth) with residents attracted to the city’s rich history Employment growth has been further accelerated by the opening of Hyundai’s new $7.6 billion EV manufacturing facility in October 2024 (the largest economic development project in Georgia history) with over 18,000 jobs announced over the past 18 months housing supply is not anticipated to meet demand with Georgia Tech projecting a 41,000-unit housing shortage in the MSA by 2030 “PCCP is pleased to partner once again with Advenir Azora for the development of what we believe is well-conceived high-quality BFR community in the high-growth market of Savannah,” said Andrew Barbakoff with PCCP “We believe that this local market will continue to increase in population as businesses migrate and expand to the area creating even more demand for this type of Class A residential product.” This is PCCP’s second joint venture with Advenir Azora is the ground-up development of Leo at Wendell cottage-style BFR community located 16 miles east of downtown Raleigh The first units are anticipated to deliver in December 2025 PCCP is a real estate finance and investment management firm focused on commercial real estate debt and equity investments PCCP has $25.3 billion in assets under management on behalf of institutional investors as of December 31 PCCP has a 27-year track record of providing real estate owners and investors with a broad range of funding options to meet capital requirements PCCP underwrites the entire capital stack to exploit inefficiencies in the market and provide investors with attractive risk-adjusted returns.Since its inception in 1998 raised or invested over $42.9 billion of capital through a series of investment vehicles including private equity funds PCCP continues to seek investment opportunities with experienced operators seeking fast and reliable capital After a multi-year struggle with the city of Port Wentworth, Front Porch Recovery Center is finally opening its doors to the community on Nov and her husband Glenn bought seven acres tucked away near Rice Creek Plantation in Port Wentworth in 2021 hoping to open the center within about six months to a year voluntary addiction and alcohol recovery program was a project of passion they had sunk their money and energy into when they moved across the country Their plans came to a halt shortly after they bought the house and relocated to Port Wentworth because neighboring residents along the private dirt road complained that the facility operated as a commercial business and was illegal The Parkers were denied a special-use permit even though the zoning at the time allowed for a residential treatment center they just need education," Katy Parker said I made a 50-slide Powerpoint illustrating who I am how the people there are going to be monitored and treated they were just like we're glad you want to help More: First City Progress: Port Wentworth fights addiction recovery facility seeking to open near Rice Creek The threat of a lawsuit against the city allowed them to finally get what they needed to open―a change of occupancy wanted to create a program that was personalized and private a combination of all the programs she had worked in over the years and unlike all of the recovery centers in Chatham County that are publicly run or outpatient facilities "We don't think addiction comes out of nowhere," Katy said "We think that most people have been disconnected from themselves and others even if it's not understood or acknowledged they can reconnect with themselves and have a reconnection with others The center will offer trauma-informed care including evidence-based practices and alternative approaches with some experimental components with a 12-person professional team of addiction counselors medical practitioners and mental health specialists “Front Porch is committed to providing hope for those affected by addiction in the Savannah area We want to make a positive impact on individuals and their families,” Parker said “The Centers for Disease Control reports a 24.9% drug overdose death rate in the state of Georgia The grand opening will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for Chatham County municipalities at the Savannah Morning News 2025 - The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) and construction partners anticipate a traffic shift to the new State Route (SR) 25 bridge over the Middle River on Monday crews will finalize roadway markings and install temporary barrier walls to shift traffic onto the new bridge by mid-day traffic will be in a temporary configuration with reduced 11-foot lanes on the west end (Port Wentworth side) of the new bridge structure This will allow for the completion of any remaining roadway and shoulder construction Traffic will be shifted to the final configuration on this end of the bridge once all construction activities are completed Demolition of the existing Middle River bridge will begin immediately following the traffic shift and isn’t expected to affect travel lanes new bridges were constructed on off-set alignments approximately 50 feet to the north of and parallel to the old bridge alignments Construction in the area began in Q3 2022 and after just over 18 months The Middle River bridge is the second and final bridge to be replaced as part of this project “We’re excited to put the finishing touches on another critical project in the region that enhances safety with modern structures and supports the region economically with reliable infrastructure,” said Georgia DOT Program Manager Trevor Brown “We appreciate the coordination with local partners and the community while we worked on these improvements.” The overall project completion is scheduled for Q4 2025. For additional information, visit the project website at https://0013741-0013742-gdot.hub.arcgis.com/ Motorists are advised to stay alert and follow posted speed limits signage in the construction zone 2025 - The City of Port Wentworth Development Authority has announced an innovative panel discussion on the future of urban living with Urban Synergy: The Smart Blueprint for City Evolution from 11 a.m March 12 at the Georgia Tech- Savannah Campus “The cities of tomorrow start with the ideas we cultivate today,” said James Touchton Director of Economic Development for the City of Port Wentworth “This event is about the bold ideas and smart solutions that will shape how we live This forward-thinking event brings together experts in economic development urban planning and smart infrastructure to explore sustainable inclusive and technology-driven solutions for the cities of tomorrow developers and innovators are invited to participate in shaping the future of the community "The heart of city evolution lies in the synergy between design and community we create cities that truly work for everyone." The dynamic panel of experts includes Ian Smith (Mariner Group principal and co-founder) Nicolia Robinson (Cooper Carry Principal of the Urban Design & Planning Studio) and James Touchton The guest speakers represent a variety of industries and will share unique insights on smart city initiatives equitable urban planning and economic strategies designed to foster growth and innovation environmental challenges and shifting economic landscapes The blueprint for tomorrow starts today; be part of the conversation Tickets to the event are now on sale and can be purchased online. Tickets are $25. To secure a spot, visit https://bit.ly/PWUrbanSyngeryTickets. For more information, visit www.portwentworthga.gov and follow on social media After ending its partnership with the Port Wentworth Chamber of Commerce (PWCC) again in late June, Port Wentworth City Council unanimously approved an agreement with the Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce for tourism services at its meeting Thursday night the city was looking at some "diversification" with its destination marketing organization (DMO) the entity that promotes tourism and economic growth in the region and is usually partially funded through the local government by a portion of hotel-motel taxes An increase in hotel-motel tax collection was one of the reasons the city said that they were ending its partnership with the PWCC the city stated that the termination of the contract was due to the Georgia Legislature voting to increase hotel-motel tax collection from 6 percent to 8 percent which would "reset the distribution of funds." More: Port Wentworth ends partnership with Chamber of Commerce Davis also said instead of working with one DMO as they had since contracting with the PWCC in 1999 so the GSBCC would not be getting the full allotment of hotel-motel funds The agreement states that the city will make payments to them equal to 7.08 percent of the taxes levied and collected but could make other or additional payments He did not mention what the second DMO would be "We wanted to split it up and go with the Black Chamber to have some minority participation and go after more black-owned and female-owned businesses," Davis said "It was an opportunity for the city to spread out and use more resources and spread our footprint It's very clear that we've got a very diverse community here and they need representation." The city of Port Wentworth is positively pumpkin spiced this weekend when its Leisure Services Department celebrates the season with its annual Fall Festival a screening of the movie "Casper," and bouncy inflatables blend for family-friendly fun The Fall Festival is free for the community and features an all-ages costume contest Attendees will also have the chance to participate in a prize raffle basket “We are excited for the community to come together make memories and celebrate the fall season,” said Leisure Services Director Tiffany Lancaster in a press release “We strive to provide a welcoming and entertaining event for our community with activities that bring joy to every generation.” Info: portwentworthga.gov/ 2025 - This week the City of Port Wentworth celebrated the grand opening of Honey’s Homestyle Creamery with an official ribbon cutting ceremony Honey’s Homestyle Creamery is dedicated to serving handcrafted gelato in the heart of Port Wentworth and is one of its newest small businesses first opening its doors to the community on March 16 City Manager Steve Davis with other city representatives Council Members Rufus Bright and Shawn Randerwala residents and local business leaders gathered to welcome Honey’s Homestyle Creamery to the community “Today we recognized the opening of Honey’s Homestyle Creamery representing the importance of entrepreneurship in Port Wentworth,” said Davis it’s small businesses like this that help enhance quality of life for residents and build our sense of community I am looking forward to enjoying their delicious gelato with my family.” Honey’s Homestyle Creamery is evidence of Port Wentworth’s commitment to economic development The creamery is open seven days a week from 4–9 p.m Thursday through Sunday at 7306 GA 21 Suite 109 “Honey’s Homestyle Creamery is more than just a gelato shop — it’s a dream that our family has built with love everything we do is rooted in community and connection We make all of our gelato from scratch in small batches because we believe that what you serve should reflect the care you put into it and full of joy — and we couldn’t be more excited to open our doors and share it with the people who’ve already made us feel so at home We hope every visit to Honey’s feels like a little bright spot in your day.” For more information about Port Wentworth and its community events, please visit www.portwentworthga.gov and follow on social media. For more information about Honey’s Homestyle Creamery, please visit https://honeyshomestyle.com/ and follow on social media With the deadline approaching for Georgia school districts cities and local governments to decide whether to opt in or out of HB 581 Chatham County municipalities have been holding public hearings with residents which voters approved in the November general election offers a statewide floating homestead exemption that would allow assessed property tax value to be frozen and increased at the rate of inflation each year Homeowners' taxable property value is based on the year the exemption is received The bill will allow for the taxable value to increase at the rate of inflation, but prevents big annual jumps in property taxes as market values increase. Chatham County has employed a similar exemption since 1999. Known as the Stephens-Day exemption this form of homestead exemption for owner-occupants of residences was adopted by different municipalities within the county in different ways according to Pooler City Manager Heath Lloyd If a municipality or other public entity decides to opt out of HB581 a resolution has to be filed by the state-mandated March 1 deadline the local government or school district must hold three public hearings Pooler and Port Wentworth held the first of their three public meetings early Monday morning. Beginning Feb. 13, Tybee Island will hold the first of its three public hearings with the intent to opt out During both Pooler and Port Wentworth’s meetings which will make additional changes to HB 581 and will include exceptions and amendments similar to how Stephens-Day functions will also postpone the deadline for opting in or out until March 2029 to allow for cities counties or school boards to road test the exemptions If either municipality decides not to opt in If a homeowner is currently under Stephens-Day HB 581 will not change an individual homeowners' base tax year The bill also states that in counties with multiple exemptions the taxpayer will receive the one that is the most beneficial to them with no one showing up to Port Wentworth’s 9 a.m Pooler's noon-time public hearing drew about 10 residents Officials did not have answers to some of the questions raised by residents and encouraged them to come to the next meetings Pooler Mayor Karen Williams said the city was unsure if it would opt out but city officials wanted to explore their options and hear from residents Port Wentworth leadership expressed similar sentiments and it also gives us a floating local option sales tax option if we ever needed it Savannah weighing benefits: Savannah holds first public hearing on HB581 homestead exemption, provides details on provision Savannah-Chatham Schools to opt out: Savannah-Chatham Schools intends to opt out of new homestead option due to 'uncertainties' 27Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for the Savannah Morning News the Savannah River and more ― symbols of the city of Port Wentworth's past and its future symbols that make up the mural that is now painted on the side of Whistle Express Car Wash After not receiving submissions in line with their vision during the contest the city hosted last year, Economic Director James Touchton said the city decided to pivot with the help of one of the city employees. They laid some of the groundwork for what became the mural on the side of the building, before contacting artist Lindsey Spears "We live in an art culture in this area," Touchton said and I think that it tells you a little bit about the area you're in ― 55,000 to 60,000 cars a day drive past the car wash and I wanted them to see what Port Wentworth stands for respecting the past and embracing our future." More: 'I want to get the community involved:' Port Wentworth seeks creative touch for mural Spears said there's no wasted space in the block letters that spell out PORT WENTWORTH on the side of Highway 21 Even the florals in the background are Georgia state flowers With the addition of Port Wentworth to Chatham Area Transit routes as well as the annual Friday Night Porch events and the new Ghost Pirates Training Facility which is expected to break ground in August Spears has worked methodically to paint the mural through scorching summer days and is often interrupted by powerful afternoon storms she expects to complete the mural by the end of the week she said she's frequented the area and loved the opportunity add a little color to Port Wentworth's landscape Spears said the reception to the mural so far has been kind: residents are excited about the idea of artwork in the city "One lady told me that her son was picking out his favorite part and it was a little turtle that was in there 2025 - The City of Port Wentworth Development Authority held an innovative panel discussion on the future of urban living with Urban Synergy: The Smart Blueprint for City Evolution on Wednesday Jim Chapman Construction Group (JCCG), a leading general contractor specializing in the build-to-rent (BTR) sector, has started vertical construction on its latest BTR general contracting project, Noble Vines In the Port Wentworth area of greater Savannah This progress comes just months after breaking ground on February 1 as part of JCCG’s first BTR general contracting engagement with this national commercial real estate development firm “Noble Vines is the perfect example of one of our turnkey projects for an investor / commercial developer,” said Jim Chapman “The soils in this area of Georgia are very difficult to navigate and my team has done a masterful job of being on budget and on time during horizontal construction we are meeting all deadlines and are moving toward completion in the required timeframes The homes are thoughtfully designed with modern features such as LVT flooring washers/dryers and options for one or two-car garages This project aligns with the growing demand for luxury maintenance-free rental living in strategic locations Jim Chapman Construction Group (JCCG) is a Georgia-based lot development and homebuilding general contractor specializing in multifamily build-to-rent (BTR) solutions JCCG transforms raw land into thriving residential communities for investors JCCG is a licensed general contractor in Georgia offering a broad spectrum of services from pre-construction assistance to design-build construction management or full-service general contracting Gathered in a small conference room in Port Wentworth City Hall Artlise Alston-Cone sat with one other city council member and their partners as they looked over a survey to distribute to teens aged 14-19 in the community which will be available online through the city’s website by January 2025 was one of the action items in a long-term plan to get that particular age group more involved in the city with opportunities to attend events The meeting on Friday evening is part of a long-term plan to get the larger Port Wentworth community involved in civic engagement the third Friday of every month in city hall the Port Wentworth Citizen’s Input Council seeks to give residents a chance to be heard outside of a formal setting like a city council meeting which limits the general public only two to three minutes to speak on a particular issue But as Port Wentworth continues to experience a surge in industrial and residential development and divides continue between pre- and post-annexation residents city leaders continue to bump up against a lack of trust and a lack of communication “There has just been so much tension for so many years that I think our citizens just feel like they haven’t been heard,” Alston-Cone said “This is just to bring back our hometown community and to help our folk understand that we are one Port Wentworth Port Wentworth Police Department opens new training facility, includes virtual reality Municipal Notebook: Tybee Island considers legislative agenda, Garden City looks at de-annexation the first-time council member who leads every meeting She starts the meeting by passing out laminated notecards with the five norms and values of the group “This particular meeting or group allows them to not just voice their opinion but to help solve that problem,” Alston-Cone said While she was disappointed with the showing on the most recent Friday night Alston-Cone harbors many goals and hopes for the future of the group Running for city council or getting involved in government was never on the Savannah native's radar until the issue of Port Wentworth wanting to get rid of its charter in 2022 became a major topic of discussion during a girl’s trip she wanted to be part of the change in the city moving forward she ran for an open at-large council seat and won Alston-Cone feels like she is always politicking — listening to people and their issues and concerns and analyzing the situation for the best outcome Her year-long tenure as a council member reflects that part of her life in some ways “I see city council as working pretty much the same way and I try to utilize those people skills to work with our residents,” Alston-Cone said “I enjoy it when we get to work with citizens and make a difference Now that the survey is close to completion there’s one more goal centered around that age group—starting a Port Wentworth youth council or partnering with Chatham County’s youth council hopefully with a more consistent attendee base will move on to discussing other topics such as assisting the senior citizen population creating more entertainment/recreation opportunities for the residents and at least 10 other topics the initial group has brainstormed Alston-Cone foresees alternating the between downtown and the north side in 2025 for people who have transportation issues I would love to have at least two residents from each district to come in and represent their particular district,” Alston-Cone said getting information back and forth to the community would be a whole lot easier I just really wish the Port Wentworth community I want people to understand the importance of not just their vote Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter covering the Chatham County municipalities After approving rezoning land for gas stations in the last few months Port Wentworth City Council considered and approved two rezoning moratoriums including one that would halt the rezoning of any property to establish gas stations Councilmember At-Large Artlise Alston-Cone initiated the moratoriums on rezonings for service stations and residential areas and districts due to the amount of service stations in the city "That's more restaurants than we have in our city," Alston-Cone said "I've been doing a lot of traveling in communities our size and I haven't seen that many fuel stations so I thought we needed to give our city a chance to grow and bring a variety of commercial businesses." During the presentation of the resolutions City Manager Steve Davis said the moratoriums will allow for the city to catch up and take stock of the different negotiations and obligations the city has since the unfortunate passing of the Assistant City Manager Jason Stewart More: Port Wentworth City Council talks amphitheater, warehouse rezoning "We already have negotiations that are about to begin with the City of Savannah for water so I think it's time for us to reflect," Davis said "We already have the approval of over 3,000 [housing] units that are not permitted to date yet So we've got plenty of things in the pipeline and this gives us time to work on our transportation and trail plan." He also mentioned that it will allow them to work on the zoning ordinance and future land use map or single-family residential covers the majority of Port Wentworth at 35% Second is industrial at 24% or 2,275.07 acres and third is 1,241 acres for Planned Unit Developments A former support and outreach coordinator for the City of Savannah’s anti-gun violence initiative and Chair of the housing committee and former co-chair of Mayor Van Johnson’s re-entry task force was recently arrested for a Nov In the afternoon of Nov. 30, Port Wentworth Police Department announced on Facebook that it was conducting an investigation that occurred in the area of Saussy Road Port Wentworth PD sent out an initial press release that they were seeking the whereabouts of Green who was a suspect in the Saussy Road homicide The police also added that they believed Green to be driving a Black Cadillac and that he "should be considered armed and dangerous." as part of a coordinated effort between local law enforcement agencies," a second press release noted Green was taken into custody by the Lake St While awaiting extradition to Georgia to face charges Green's arrest stemmed from a personal dispute with the victim," the press release stated "The Port Wentworth Police Department is working on an active death investigation for the murder of Antwan Small 30," the latest statement sent from Lesley Francis PR on behalf of the Port Wentworth PD read "The current status is that the suspect has not been extradited and there is no news about an expected timeline for apprehension of the suspect The department is still following up leads related to this investigation and cannot comment any further at this time Updates will be shared as they become available." More: When is the debt paid? Formerly incarcerated individuals face challenges with re-entry More: Savannah man — revered for his work with at-risk youth — arrested, charged with child abuse Green also owned a nonprofit organization, according to his website "Filling the Gaps Outreach." The website identifies Green as a clinical social worker who obtained his Master of Social Work Degree from Savannah State University His website states that Green's nonprofit organization provided political action planning City of Savannah Press Secretary Joshua Peacock issued a statement on behalf of Mayor Johnson I appointed Frederic Green to the inaugural Advocates for Restorative Communities (ARCS) Task Force acknowledging his experience advocating for justice-involved citizens Green resigned from the task force in 2022 and has not been involved or affiliated with the ARCS Task Force or the End Gun Violence: Step Forward program since that time,” the statement reads and everyone must be held responsible for their actions under the law Our dedication to reducing gun violence and fostering safer communities in Savannah remains steadfast and unwavering." Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for Savannah Morning News You can reach him at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.