City of Savannah won’t release cruise terminal study until workshop | savannahnow.com

A consultant’s tax-funded analysis of three potential sites along the Savannah River for a cruise ship terminal was recently submitted to the city for review, but residents will have to wait to see the results.The city has refused to make the report public, citing a provision in the state’s open records law that exempts records pertaining to potential land acquisitions.

A City Council workshop has been scheduled for June 25, and the study will be made public at that time, said city spokesman Bret Bell.

The city council awarded Miami-based BEA Architects a contract to perform the study in September. It’s being divided into two phases, with the second phase optional and requiring a notice to proceed from the city.

The recently submitted portion of the study cost $197,500 to evaluate the sites for a suitable berthing facility. The findings are necessary to obtain U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval and permits for construction. The results may eliminate certain sites or verify that all three sites, which have not been made public, could be used.

Councilman Tom Bordeaux had cast the only vote against the study.

Bordeaux said he did not think spending millions on the terminal would be a good investment for the city, considering the limited amount of time cruise passengers reportedly spend compared to visitors staying here. In addition, he worried that the terminal would be abandoned if the industry tanks, especially since Charleston and Jacksonville already have cruise docks.

via City of Savannah won’t release cruise terminal study until workshop | savannahnow.com.