City officials are urging Savannah residents to help shape the first multimodal transportation implementation plan, known as Savannah MOVES, a project designed to improve sidewalks, transit options and roadway safety across the city. The initiative matters to locals because it seeks to create safer, more convenient routes for commuters, students, shoppers and workers, ensuring that everyday travel is more efficient and connected.
According to wjcl.com, a public pop‑up event was held on Monday, Oct. 26, at the Jewish Educational Alliance on Abercorn Street, where community members could speak directly with the project team. The informal setting allowed participants to voice concerns ranging from traffic congestion and sidewalk accessibility to public‑transportation reliability and bicycle routes.
Faye DiMassimo, Savannah’s chief of planning and economic development, told attendees that the biggest issue residents raise is “connectivity in all of its forms, whether that’s sidewalks, whether that’s transit, whether that’s roadway improvements.” She emphasized that the plan goes beyond reducing congestion; it aims to ensure residents can safely reach schools, businesses, workplaces and other destinations.
DiMassimo stressed that public feedback is “absolutely critical” and that Savannah MOVES is intended to be a working plan, not a document that simply sits on a shelf. The city plans to use the input to identify partnerships, potential funding sources and implementation strategies that could turn identified priorities into actual projects, though additional funding and approvals may be required before construction begins.
The local focus of Savannah MOVES distinguishes it from broader regional plans, such as the Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Master Transportation Plan 2050. By concentrating on the city’s specific needs, the initiative aims to reduce duplication of effort and strengthen collaboration with regional agencies, a strategy that aligns with the administration’s emphasis on targeted infrastructure investment.
Residents who missed the Oct. 26 pop‑up still have opportunities to contribute. Upcoming events include another pop‑up on Monday, Oct. 26, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the New Hampstead West Fire Station (3002 Highgate Blvd.) and a final public community meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. in Liberty City Center (1401 Mills B. Lane Blvd.). The final meeting will feature a presentation followed by interactive feedback sessions.
For those unable to attend in person, the Savannah MOVES website offers a community survey and an interactive map where residents can pinpoint specific transportation concerns, such as roadway conditions, pedestrian safety, bicycle connections and public‑transportation issues. Feedback can also be submitted online at savannahga.gov/savannahMOVES.
What’s next: The final public community meeting on Oct. 28 will synthesize resident input before the city moves forward with identifying funding and partnership opportunities. Savannah residents are encouraged to attend or submit their comments online to ensure their transportation needs are reflected in the plan.
Sources: wjcl.com
