Submitted by omontoya on Tue, 09/15/2009 - 11:38am
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Savannah is months away from completing a $10 million riverwalk extension, with no idea when there'll be anything there for visitors to see
Orlando Montoya
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SAVANNAH, Ga.
The next few months could bring the completion of a $10 million extension of the Savannah riverwalk, but the billion-dollar residential and retail development that goes with it is still nowhere to be seen.
The city is paying for the riverwalk extension mostly with state funds.
The larger retail and residential project, however, is privately financed. And therein lies a problem. The economy has stalled construction.
The private project, called Savannah River Landing, was touted in national newspapers because developers plan to extend the historic town plan, a mix of homes and businesses centered around tree-filled and neatly organized squares, beyond the boundaries of the historic district.
Savannah is the first city in the nation planned in such a way.
Now, that's delayed. A company spokesman wouldn't speculate on when "vertical construction" would begin, but did deny rumors that the project was in receivership.
"We are re-working the financing," said Steven Johnson, a spokesman for Ambling Corp., the developer. "But we're still here and we still believe in the viability of this project."
Likewise, a city of Savannah spokesman said that the Savannah River Landing is going forward, albeit at a delayed pace.
"It could be two years or it could be ten years," said Bret Bell, the city spokesman. "We're not concerned about the time frame, as long as it's developed."
The developer has installed about $20 million worth of pipes, streets and other infrastructure at the site.
Officials call the site "job-ready."
Meanwhile, in the next few months, the city is expected to finish work on the riverwalk extension.
Visitors then will be able to walk down to access, on the one side, about 2,000 feet of previously unaccessable waterfront, with a floating dock; and on the other side, nothing.
"Ambling will probably put in a fence to keep people from going onto the construction site," said Bell.
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The Savannah waterfront attracts millions of tourists. A waterfront extention is almost finished, but leads only to a barren construction site. (photo by Orlando Montoya)
Georgia's Flint River is one of the southeastern United States' greatest natural resources. Over 125 of its 220 total miles are free-flowing as it traverses the state from the Atlanta Metro Area to its confluence with the Chattahoochee.
Description:
Georgia's Flint River is one of the southeastern United States' greatest natural resources. Over 125 of its 220 total miles are free-flowing as it traverses the state from the Atlanta Metro Area to its confluence with the Chattahoochee. As we examine the future of the state's water resources for the next century, the Flint is a pivotal watershed in which to promote conservation, ecological tourism and sustainable economic development. Georgia Outdoors plans on doing a three part series on the river for the 11th season.
Ducks are a favorite game bird among hunters today and they have been for hundreds of years.
Description:
Ducks are a favorite game bird among hunters today and they have been for hundreds of years.
Even if you're not a hunter, ducks are part of our collective consciousness about the natural world. Their migration calls herald the passing of the seasons and for most people, they are instantly identifiable in flight. Whether it's the "daffy" bill at the end of their noses or the flock of birds bobbing like corks in the water we all know, "It's a duck!"
This program features a Altamaha draw hunt on Butler Island, a Georgia State Champion duck caller and a young wildlife artist who won his first Junior Duck Stamp award when her was ten years old.
The bobwhite quail is Georgia's official state game bird and at one time Georgia was considered the bobwhite quail capital of the world. Today, quail populations are only a fraction of what they used to be, but with the help of conservation minded farmers and the direction of a new DNR plan the call of the bobwhite quail can ring out once more across the hedgerows and fields of Georgia.
Description:
The bobwhite quail is Georgia's official state game bird and at one time Georgia was considered the bobwhite quail capital of the world. Today, quail populations are only a fraction of what they used to be, but with the help of conservation minded farmers and the direction of a new DNR plan the call of the bobwhite quail can ring out once more across the hedgerows and fields of Georgia.
Join host Michael Skinner as he learns more about the Bobwhite Quail Initiative.
Then Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell hosts a traditional quail hunt on his Charlane Plantation near Macon. Chuck was also voted the 1999 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year for his conservation efforts at Charlane.
Finally, the best for last, get the recipe for Quail Charlane – one of the house specialities.
Michael goes in search of some the lesser-known migratory birds found in Georgia as well as some of the more traditional ducks and geese. He'll start with an upland hunt for woodcock near Milledgeville, then take a shot at the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area and finally finish off this hunting adventure on Butler Island off the coast with a snipe hunt (a REAL snipe hunt.)
Description:
Michael goes in search of some the lesser-known migratory birds found in Georgia as well as some of the more traditional ducks and geese. He'll start with an upland hunt for woodcock near Milledgeville, then take a shot at the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area and finally finish off this hunting adventure on Butler Island off the coast with a snipe hunt (a REAL snipe hunt.)
Join the Georgia Outdoors crew and learn about Georgia's magnificent landscapes. We'll visit Providence Canyon State Park, A.K.A. Georgia's Little Grand Canyon, and learn about the forces that created this interesting phenomenon.
Description:
Join the Georgia Outdoors crew and learn about Georgia's magnificent landscapes. We'll visit Providence Canyon State Park, A.K.A. Georgia's Little Grand Canyon, and learn about the forces that created this interesting phenomenon.
We'll also visit north Georgia's Cloudland Canyon State Park with its 100 foot waterfall. Afterward, we'll stop by near-by Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail in the "pocket" area of Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, this area is famous for its wildflowers and rocky falls.
And finally we'll visit Broxton Rocks, a little-known Nature Conservancy preserve hidden away in South Georgia.
Related Links
www.henry.k12.ga.us
Learn more about the seven wonders of Georgia by visiting this website created by students of Pleasant Grove Elementary School in Stockbridge, Georgia.
www.cviog.uga.edu
The University of Georgia also maintains a webpage about Georgia's Natural Wonders, though they suggest that there are more than seven.
Georgia's State Parks
Here you can learn about all 63 State Parks and Historic Sites including two parks we visited in our program: Providence Canyon and Cloudland Canyon.
www.gofishgeorgia.com
You can buy your Georgia hunting or fishing license by phone, by mail or online.
A grand slam bass fishing extravaganza! The goal – to bag all six species of black bass in Georgia. Join Host Michael Skinner and friends like Kevin Dalmier on the Coosa river as they go after spots and redeye.
Description:
A grand slam bass fishing extravaganza! The goal – to bag all six species of black bass in Georgia.
Join Host Michael Skinner and friends like Kevin Dalmier on the Coosa river as they go after spots and redeye.
Then Jimmy Jacobs takes Michael on the Flint river for some exciting shoal bass fishing. Largemouth, smallmouth and the elusive Suwanee bass are all on the agenda for this once in a lifetime angling adventure.
Related Links
www.state.ga.us
You can buy your Georgia fishing license by phone, by mail or online.
Paul started taking photographs about eight years ago when he took a class in nature photography and as he put it, "It virtually changed my life." His day job didn't change – Paul still to practices law – but his passion became photography.
Description:
Grand Prize Winner – Paul Shimek
Paul started taking photographs about eight years ago when he took a class in nature photography and as he put it, "It virtually changed my life." His day job didn't change – Paul still to practices law – but his passion became photography.
As the winner of the Nature Photography Contest Paul joined the Georgia Outdoors crew on a production shoot at Callaway Gardens. The day started early at the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center where every day nearly a thousand butterflies flitter through the air. No shortage of photo opportunities there! Paul also got a special behind-the-scenes opportunity to photograph the magnificent birds of the birds-of-prey show.
The underwater world of Georgia will be explored for both research and recreation.
The Georgia Outdoors crew, with a full oxygen tank strapped in place, will travel to the spring-fed Flint River. There, we'll survey the enormous striped bass that congregate in the chilly blue hole springs, which average a shivering 68 degrees year round.
Description:
The underwater world of Georgia will be explored for both research and recreation.
The Georgia Outdoors crew, with a full oxygen tank strapped in place, will travel to the spring-fed Flint River. There, we'll survey the enormous striped bass that congregate in the chilly blue hole springs, which average a shivering 68 degrees year round.
Next, we'll join prominent researchers from across the southeast to trap and perform physical exams on the hefty alligator snapping turtles of Spring Creek.
Finally, we'll explore how an ordinary citizen can acquire SCUBA certification and where they can enjoy this extraordinary sport for recreation.
Related Links
PADI
There are several SCUBA certifying agencies out there. The people in our program were certified by PADI dive instructors.
Georgia Wildlife Web and Snapping and Others Turtle Club
Learn more about differences between the common snapping turtle and the alligator snapping turtle which is listed as threatened in Georgia. And believe it or not, there is a whole website dedicated to snapping turtles and the people who love them. Visit the Snapping and Others Turtle Club.
www.ganet.org
You can buy your Georgia hunting or fishing license by phone, by mail or online.
Did you know that the longest salamander in the US makes its home right here in Georgia? Or that sirens are not just Greek myth?
Description:
Did you know that the longest salamander in the US makes its home right here in Georgia? Or that sirens are not just Greek myth?
The Georgia Outdoros crew takes a canoe trip in the wet and wild swamp of the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area near Valdosta to examine these creatures and more.
We'll also explore the mystery of the Carolina Bays. Carolina Bays are elliptical shaped marshes with black tannic water that pepper the coastal plain from Florida to Maryland. No one knows how these areas were formed, but many theories abound, including a theory about extraterrestrials!
Related Links
www.ganet.org/dnr
You can buy your Georgia hunting or fishing license by phone, by mail or online.
Georgia's Flint River is one of the southeastern United States' greatest natural resources. Over 125 of its 220 total miles are free-flowing as it traverses the state from the Atlanta Metro Area to its confluence with the Chattahoochee.
Georgia's Flint River is one of the southeastern United States' greatest natural resources. Over 125 of its 220 total miles are free-flowing as it traverses the state from the Atlanta Metro Area to its confluence with the Chattahoochee. As we examine the future of the state's water resources for the next century, the Flint is a pivotal watershed in which to promote conservation, ecological tourism and sustainable economic development. Georgia Outdoors plans on doing a three part series on the river for the 11th season.
Ducks are a favorite game bird among hunters today and they have been for hundreds of years.
Ducks are a favorite game bird among hunters today and they have been for hundreds of years.
The bobwhite quail is Georgia's official state game bird and at one time Georgia was considered the bobwhite quail capital of the world. Today, quail populations are only a fraction of what they used to be, but with the help of conservation minded farmers and the direction of a new DNR plan the call of the bobwhite quail can ring out once more across the hedgerows and fields of Georgia.
The bobwhite quail is Georgia's official state game bird and at one time Georgia was considered the bobwhite quail capital of the world. Today, quail populations are only a fraction of what they used to be, but with the help of conservation minded farmers and the direction of a new DNR plan the call of the bobwhite quail can ring out once more across the hedgerows and fields of Georgia.
Michael goes in search of some the lesser-known migratory birds found in Georgia as well as some of the more traditional ducks and geese. He'll start with an upland hunt for woodcock near Milledgeville, then take a shot at the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area and finally finish off this hunting adventure on Butler Island off the coast with a snipe hunt (a REAL snipe hunt.)
Michael goes in search of some the lesser-known migratory birds found in Georgia as well as some of the more traditional ducks and geese. He'll start with an upland hunt for woodcock near Milledgeville, then take a shot at the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area and finally finish off this hunting adventure on Butler Island off the coast with a snipe hunt (a REAL snipe hunt.)
Join the Georgia Outdoors crew and learn about Georgia's magnificent landscapes. We'll visit Providence Canyon State Park, A.K.A. Georgia's Little Grand Canyon, and learn about the forces that created this interesting phenomenon.
Join the Georgia Outdoors crew and learn about Georgia's magnificent landscapes. We'll visit Providence Canyon State Park, A.K.A. Georgia's Little Grand Canyon, and learn about the forces that created this interesting phenomenon.
PDF Transcript
A grand slam bass fishing extravaganza! The goal – to bag all six species of black bass in Georgia. Join Host Michael Skinner and friends like Kevin Dalmier on the Coosa river as they go after spots and redeye.
A grand slam bass fishing extravaganza! The goal – to bag all six species of black bass in Georgia.
Paul started taking photographs about eight years ago when he took a class in nature photography and as he put it, "It virtually changed my life." His day job didn't change – Paul still to practices law – but his passion became photography.
The underwater world of Georgia will be explored for both research and recreation.
The Georgia Outdoors crew, with a full oxygen tank strapped in place, will travel to the spring-fed Flint River. There, we'll survey the enormous striped bass that congregate in the chilly blue hole springs, which average a shivering 68 degrees year round.
The underwater world of Georgia will be explored for both research and recreation.
The Georgia Outdoors crew, with a full oxygen tank strapped in place, will travel to the spring-fed Flint River. There, we'll survey the enormous striped bass that congregate in the chilly blue hole springs, which average a shivering 68 degrees year round. 
Did you know that the longest salamander in the US makes its home right here in Georgia? Or that sirens are not just Greek myth?
Did you know that the longest salamander in the US makes its home right here in Georgia? Or that sirens are not just Greek myth?