The planned expansion of the Savannah Convention Center has been pushed to a late May 2024 material completion date, although that target is pending resolution of a sitework design for its east side, prompting concern that the new space may not be ready for visitors already booked that month.
The Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority heard a presentation Nov. 8 at its monthly meeting from the project's general contractor, Clark Construction, regarding the expansion's updated timeline. Authority officials were given the latest news after the project's end date had already been delayed numerous times.
"We have commitments for that space going forward, so it's alarming to say the least," Joseph Marinelli, vice chairman of the authority and president of Visit Savannah, told the Savannah Morning News.
Based on Clark Construction's latest timeline, the additions to the convention center could finish life safety inspections by the end of March, the newspaper reported. Mark Blackmon, a vice president of the company, said those inspections are a key target.
During his presentation before the Savannah authority, he explained that the inspections would be the minimum needed to host conventions and exhibitions, although exterior sitework completion would remain ongoing. However, he also said there is still a need to come together on a project design for the expansion's east side.
To tackle the design resolution and keep to the proposed timeline, Blackmon explained there needs to be coordination between the architect, fire marshal and construction team to plan which steps need completion to hit the project's completion goals. The lead architecture company on the Savannah Convention Center's expansion is TVS Design, which has created blueprints and renderings for similar buildings around the world.
"We just need to get on the same page," Blackmon said.
When it is completed, the $276 million expansion project is planned to double the Savannah Convention Center's exhibit hall space to 200,000 sq. ft., add 40,000 sq. ft. of additional ballroom, and a new 900-space parking garage.
In addition, the facility, first opened in 2000 and located on Hutchinson Island across the Savannah River from the city's Historic District, will feature:
- Thirty-two customizable breakout rooms.
- A new 58-ft.-wide hangar door.
- Additional outdoor space to enjoy Savannah's beautiful weather.
- A new facility entrance with an all-glass façade.
- A connection to the 403-room Westin Savannah Harbor Hotel, located adjacent to the venue. Another hotel also is planned to be built on the opposite side of the convention center from the Westin property, although a developer of the property has not yet been announced.
Delays Would Mean Substantial Loss of Revenue
Currently, there are five events booked in the new space for May 2024, the Savannah news source reported.
If the venue were to miss out on its May clients, it is looking at a potential $551,000 loss in revenue, said Stephen Hall, interim general manager of the Savannah Convention Center. If delays stretched into June, where there are currently three events scheduled for the expansion space, it would be an additional $250,000 loss, he explained.
But more than just the numbers, there were commitments made to customers who planned their events and conventions for the center. Many of them cannot be booked to other locations due to size or other events, authority board members said during the Nov. 8 meeting.
"From a reputation perspective, we want to deliver on the promises made to our customers," Marinelli noted in speaking to the Morning News. "It can be frustrating when construction delays can impact that."
To view the construction progress webcam, click here.
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