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$700 Million Project to Expand River Street

Have your heard? River Street in Savannah is expanding. It's called the Savannah River Landing, east of the Marriott Savannah Riverfront. The more than half billion dollar project is one of Savannah's best-kept secrets, but not for long.

One day, out of the blue, the Marriott discovered a new neighbor was coming.

"We started seeing bulldozers, and it's been going on for a while now," said general manager Tom Rybak.

He also started hearing rumors: two new hotels, condos, townhouses, 17 new homes, retail space, offices, restaurants. It was all true.

This 54-acre, $700 million project is an extension of the River Street river walk.

"Great news," said Rybak. "Love to have a new neighbor next door."

It also puts the Marriott in a new position. Rybak told us it's "good to be part of the plan and in the middle of River Street instead of at the end down here."

Right now, the river walk starts on the west end of River Street and runs in front of the Marriott, and ends. Rybak isn't sure how they will be connected, and developers say the project is changing all the time.

"They are taking time to do it right," he said.

We spoke with Tony Wilbert, spokesman for the Ambling Land and Resort Group developing the Savannah River Landing. He says construction could begin early next year, starting with the townhomes. "This will seem like a natural extension of the downtown area with the same kind of feel," he said.

Now it's all dirt. "They're using the dirt from Ellis Square underground garage to fill this up," explained Rybak.

But over the next seven years, he hopes he'll find a better view out the Marriot's windows. Then again, he told us, "It may change again before it's all said and done."

The city has already approved the zoning for the Savannah River Landing. The next step is approval from the Department of Natural Resources, which could take 90 days. If all goes to plan, construction may start next January.

Reported by: Don Logana, dlogana@wtoc.com