WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Savannah receives APA award

Savannah receives APA award

By WTOC Staff

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - The 22 squares throught downtown Savannah are being recognized as one of America's Great Public Spaces by the American Planning Associates. Mayor Otis will be receiving award at 11am on the northeast corner of Ellis Square, which is still under construction.

Eillis Square was one of the four original squares planned by General James Oglethorpe in 1733. It was home to four public markets before being converted in the 1950's to a parking deck. The City of Savannah has almost completed the project which involves returning Ellis Square to a public space.

It's projects like Ellis Square that have captured the attention of the APA.

The nine other APA Great Public Spaces are:

• East Park - Charlevoix, Michigan
• Virginia Beach Board Walk - Virginia Beach, Virginia
• The Grand Rounds - Minneapollis, Minnesota
• Central Square - Keene, New Hampshire
• Queens Botanical Garden - Flushing, New York
• Lincoln Park - Chicago, Illinois
• New Haven Green - New Haven, Connecticut
• The Green - Dover, Delaware
• Central Market - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

The awards are part of the APA's National Community Planning Month, held in October. In 2007, the APA named Bull Street as one of America's great streets.

The designation is part of the APA's National Community Planning Month, held during the month of October.  In 2007, the APA named Bull Street one of America's 10 Great Streets.  

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