Submitted by omontoya on Tue, 09/15/2009 - 11:38am
Tease:
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)
A long-running fight over access and quiet at this National Seashore
Orlando Montoya
Contributors:
Dan Shultz provided photos. Emily Green produced the slideshow. Thanks to Andrew MacCartney and Carl Zornes at GPB web support.
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CUMBERLAND ISLAND, Ga.
Many people find national parks to be refuges of peace and quiet.
Increasingly, however, it's getting harder to find natural quiet in America's wild places.
On Georgia’s Cumberland Island, the National Park Service is planning to start motorized tours that some say amount to a threat to natural silence.
The tours would allow visitors to hop in a van for easy access to the island's most remote areas.
Hikers and other quiet-seeking adventurers have been trying to prevent the tours for many years.
Now, it's just a matter of time before they begin.
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Photos courtesy Dan Shultz (http://www.danschultzphoto.com)
Media Embed:
Click below to hear the story heard on GPB's
All Things Considered:
Click below to hear an interview with Mitty Ferguson,
of Cumberland Island's Greyfield Inn, talk about the
historic sites located in the island's wilderness areas:
A western tributary of the Altamaha River, the Ocmulgee River Watershed runs smack through the middle of our State and connects us all. We’ll follow a group of adventurous kayakers and canoeists on a weeklong trip down the river.
Description:
From its headwaters in north Georgia, to its intersection with the Ocoee River forming the mighty Altamaha River, the Ocmulgee River cuts across 241 miles of diverse terrain. Along the way, the Ocmulgee and its tributaries drain about 6,180 square miles across thirty-three Georgia counties. This is the Ocmulgee watershed.
From its more developed shores in the Macon area to stretches of pure wilderness, the Ocmulgee River is truly one of central Georgia’s hidden treasures.
And the best way to experience the river is by paddle. Every year, the Georgia River Network sponsors Paddle Georgia, an event which draws hundreds of paddling enthusiasts from all skill levels to take on a river. In 2007 they chose the Ocmulgee River and we tagged along to experience the river with them. All this and more on Georgia Outdoors: Ocmulgee River Watershed
Web Resources
Georgia River Network
Georgia River Network is working to ensure a clean water legacy by engaging and empowering Georgians to protect and restore our rivers from the mountains to the coast.
Paddle Georgia
Paddle Georgia is an event sponsored every year by the Georgia River Network. Hundreds of paddling enthusiasts of all skill levels take on a 7 day trip down a different river. But it's more than a fun trip-- it’s an education on river ecology and the importance of keeping our rivers clean.
Georgia Adopt a Stream
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream is a volunteer water quality monitoring program. The goals of Georgia Adopt-A-Stream are to increase public awareness of the State’s nonpoint source pollution and water quality issues, provide citizens with the tools and training to evaluate and protect their local waterways, encourage partnerships between citizens and their local government, and collect quality baseline water quality data.
Altamaha Riverkeeper
The Altamaha Riverkeeper is a grassroots organization dedicated to the protection, defense and restoration of Georgia’s biggest river, the Altamaha, including its tributaries: the Ocmulgee, the Oconee and the Ohoopee.
Ocmulgee Archaeological Society
The Ocmulgee Archaeological Society is a chapter of the Society for Georgia Archaeology and is dedicated to the preservation of Georgia's past, both historical and pre-historical. Events and projects in which the OAS is involved can be found on their website.
Nature Conservancy, Georgia Chapter
The Nature Conservancy's mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Georgia Chapter has protected more than 272,000 acres in Georgia.
Over the course of human history our civilization has developed an important relationship with fire. From its beneficial use in cooking, warming our homes, and managing our land…to its destructive capabilities.
Description:
Over the course of human history our civilization has developed an important relationship with fire. From its beneficial use in cooking, warming our homes, and managing our land…to its destructive capabilities, fire connects us to the natural world.
On this episode we’ll look at the 2007 wildfire that consumed over 400,000 acres of forest, burned 22 homes and forced the evacuation of over 1000 people in and around the Okefenokee Swamp.
But fire isn't all bad, in fact, it's a neccessary part of a healthy forest ecosystem. We'll also join forest managers as they employ a technique called prescribed burning.
Finally, we'll visit the Jones Ecological Research Center just south of Albany. The landowners here regularly perform prescribed burning for it's large amount of longleaf pine, a species of pine dependent on fire for it's survival. Other species have also adapted to this fire-dependent ecosystem including the red cockaded woodpecker and the gopher tortoise.
All this and more on Georgia Outdoors: Fire Ecology.
Web Resources
Georgia Forestry Commission
The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) is a dynamic state agency responsible for providing leadership, service, and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia's forest resources.
Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichuaway
The Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway seeks to understand, to demonstrate, and to promote excellence in natural resource management and conservation on the landscape of the southeastern coastal plain of the United States.
U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station
The Southern Research Station is part of the Nation's largest forestry research organization - USDA Forest Service Research and Development – the leading organization for research on natural resource management and sustainability in the United States. The Southern Research Station serves 13 Southern States and beyond. Its staff of 130 scientists is organized into Research Work Units with the mission to create the science and technology needed to sustain and enhance southern forest ecosystems and the benefits they provide.
Okefenokee Adventures
Okefenokee Adventures is nestled on the banks of the historic Suwannee Canal and is a great embarking point for trips into the Okefenokee Swamp.
Stephen C Foster State Park
Named after songwriter Stephen Foster, this remote park is a primary entrance to the famed Okefenokee Swamp and is one of the most intriguing areas in Georgia. Moss-laced cypress trees reflect off the black swamp waters, providing breathtaking scenery. Visitors can look for alligators, turtles, raccoon, black bear, deer, birds and numerous other creatures while on the park's elevated boardwalk trail or on a guided boat trip. More adventurous visitors may wish to rent motorized boats or canoes for further exploration of the swamp, including a trip to historic Billy's Island.
Reed Bingham State Park
Visitors to this scenic park will see an abundance of wildlife, particularly gopher tortoises and "buzzards." During winter, thousands of these large birds, which are actually black vultures and turkey vultures, roost in the trees and soar overhead. Throughout the year, gopher tortoises may be seen digging their dens in the sandy soil. Alligators, bald eagles, the rare limpkin, herons, indigo snakes and many other species also live in this protected park.
We'll be fishing for Shad and striper on the Ogeechee as well as visiting historic Richmond Hill. We discover the legacy of Henry Ford's contribution to the area and visit the breathtaking Ford Plantation. Michael and friends will do some ghost story telling and guitar playing around the campfire at historic Fort McAllister State park.
Description:
We'll be fishing for Shad and striper on the Ogeechee as well as visiting historic Richmond Hill. We discover the legacy of Henry Ford's contribution to the area and visit the breathtaking Ford Plantation. Michael and friends will do some ghost story telling and guitar playing around the campfire at historic Fort McAllister State park.
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.)
When it comes to game fish, Stripers are fighters. Pound for pound they're one of the most exciting sport fishes to catch in Georgia. Old timers remember fish weighing in at thirty pounds or more. Fish that size are rare today but thanks to the efforts of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources those trophy sized fish are making a comeback.
Description:
When it comes to game fish, Stripers are fighters. Pound for pound they're one of the most exciting sport fishes to catch in Georgia. Old timers remember fish weighing in at thirty pounds or more. Fish that size are rare today but thanks to the efforts of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources those trophy sized fish are making a comeback.
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.
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.
A western tributary of the Altamaha River, the Ocmulgee River Watershed runs smack through the middle of our State and connects us all. We’ll follow a group of adventurous kayakers and canoeists on a weeklong trip down the river. 
From its headwaters in north Georgia, to its intersection with the Ocoee River forming the mighty Altamaha River, the Ocmulgee River cuts across 241 miles of diverse terrain. Along the way, the Ocmulgee and its tributaries drain about 6,180 square miles across thirty-three Georgia counties. This is the Ocmulgee watershed.
Over the course of human history our civilization has developed an important relationship with fire. From its beneficial use in cooking, warming our homes, and managing our land…to its destructive capabilities.
Over the course of human history our civilization has developed an important relationship with fire. From its beneficial use in cooking, warming our homes, and managing our land…to its destructive capabilities, fire connects us to the natural world.
PDF Transcript
We'll be fishing for Shad and striper on the Ogeechee as well as visiting historic Richmond Hill. We discover the legacy of Henry Ford's contribution to the area and visit the breathtaking Ford Plantation. Michael and friends will do some ghost story telling and guitar playing around the campfire at historic Fort McAllister State park.
We'll be fishing for Shad and striper on the Ogeechee as well as visiting historic Richmond Hill. We discover the legacy of Henry Ford's contribution to the area and visit the breathtaking Ford Plantation. Michael and friends will do some ghost story telling and guitar playing around the campfire at historic Fort McAllister State park.
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.)
When it comes to game fish, Stripers are fighters. Pound for pound they're one of the most exciting sport fishes to catch in Georgia. Old timers remember fish weighing in at thirty pounds or more. Fish that size are rare today but thanks to the efforts of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources those trophy sized fish are making a comeback.
When it comes to game fish, Stripers are fighters. Pound for pound they're one of the most exciting sport fishes to catch in Georgia. Old timers remember fish weighing in at thirty pounds or more. Fish that size are rare today but thanks to the efforts of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources those trophy sized fish are making a comeback.
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.
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?