In a transformative move for downtown Savannah, significant changes are on the horizon for the Savannah Civic Center, a landmark that has been integral to the city for over half a century. City officials have made the landmark decision to raze the Martin Luther King Jr. Arena while preserving the beloved Johnny Mercer Theatre, ushering the Civic Center into a new era.

Residents now have the opportunity to influence this transformation through public hearings. For years, the question of what to do with the Civic Center has sparked extensive debate among city leaders. With a strategic plan now emerging, the community’s input is crucial in shaping its future.

For more than 50 years, the towering Civic Center has been a familiar fixture in Savannah’s skyline, hosting countless community gatherings. However, soon, the city’s landscape will undergo a noticeable change. Residents are encouraged to participate in discussions on Tuesday and Wednesday to help redefine the entire area surrounding the Civic Center.

The Savannah City Council has given the green light to proceed with the deconstruction of the outdated MLK Jr. Arena, while maintaining the Johnny Mercer Theatre. This “careful demolition” process, as described by city engineers, will eschew traditional methods like wrecking balls or explosives in favor of cranes, hand tools, and meticulous dismantling over several months.

The demolition is slated to commence in the first quarter of the upcoming year and is projected to take around nine months to complete. Once the arena is removed, approximately four acres will be available for redevelopment. City leaders envision this space being used for housing, retail, and public green areas, emphasizing that hotels or short-term rentals are not part of the redevelopment plan.

“We will redevelop the property where the arena is and where the parking lot is. We’re going to reestablish the Oglethorpe plan. And this is, you know, not just for downtown residents. This is a regional asset that we need everyone to come and give their input so we can factor it in,” said Cristy Lawrence, the Senior Director, Capital Projects Management at City of Savannah.

To help shape what comes next, the city is hosting two open-house style meetings this week – Tuesday, October 28th, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., and tomorrow, October 29th, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Civic Center ballroom. Officials say this is a regional project – and they’re hoping for hundreds of residents to share their vision for one of downtown Savannah’s most recognizable landmarks.

The City of Savannah tells that feedback from this week’s meetings will help shape what happens next on this nearly seven-acre downtown site. The goal is redevelopment meant to restore part of Savannah’s original Oglethorpe plan.

While the MLK Jr. Arena will soon come down, City of Savannah leaders said Dr. King’s name and legacy will remain a major part of what rises in its place.